Adrenal Gland Function and Disorders (Online CE Course)

(based on 518 customer ratings)

Author: Ethan Kentzel, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Reviewers: Lynda Kelly, MSBC, MT(ASCP) and Marissa Wildung, MLS(ASCP)CM

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 176 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote

A basic overview and understanding of the endocrine system is established in this course. Adrenal gland structure, location, and normal functionality are discussed along with various pathologies of the adrenal gland. Lastly, the utilization of specific hormones levels to determine various adrenal gland function disorders is covered.

See all available courses

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 11/30/2025
Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Clinical Chemistry/UA/Toxicology): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 11/30/2025

Objectives

  • Summarize the basics of the endocrine system.
  • Discuss adrenal gland structure, location, and normal functionality.
  • Discuss pathological states of the adrenal gland.
  • Interpret how hormones can be utilized to determine the source of adrenal gland disorders.

Customer Ratings

(based on 518 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Endocrine System
    • Brief Overview of the Endocrine System
      • Brief Overview of Endocrinology
      • True or False: Endocrine glands secrete hormones and chemicals to targets within the body and exocrine glands secrete hormones and chemicals outside o...
      • Cell Signaling
      • Tissue and Organs of the Endocrine System
      • Types of Chemical Signaling of the Endocrine System
      • Steroid Hormones
      • Non-Steroidal Hormones
      • Fat-Soluble versus Water-Soluble Hormones of the Endocrine System
      • Summary
      • Match the following glands of the endocrine system as having an exocrine or endocrine function.
      • Match the hormone with the classification that best fits.
      • Match the hormones with their solubility.
    • Negative Feedback Loops and Diurnal Variation
      • Negative Feedback Loops
      • Diurnal Variation
      • Which of the following describes a system of reactants and products that are in constant flux to reach equilibrium and the products formed act as a sh...
  • Hypothalamus
    • Location, Structure, Function
      • Location, Structure, and Normal Function of the Hypothalamus
  • Pituitary Gland
    • Location, Structure, Function
      • Location, Structure, and Normal Function of the Pituitary Gland
      • Match the following secreted pituitary gland hormones with their function.
  • Adrenal Gland
  • The HPA Axis
      • The HPA Axis
      • The Human Response to Stress
      • True or False: The pituitary gland is the master gland and is the start of the HPA axis.
  • Pathophysiology of Adrenal Glands
      • Pathophysiology of Adrenal glands
    • Hypoactive Adrenal Gland
      • Primary Adrenal Insufficiency (Hypoadrenalism)
      • Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency (Hypoadrenalism)
      • Tertiary Adrenal Insufficiency (Hypoadrenalism)
      • Endocrine test panels were ordered on a patient suspected of having Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency). Which of the following depicts ...
      • True or False: The difference between secondary and tertiary adrenal insufficiency is that the hypothalamus is deficient in secondary and the pituitar...
    • Hyperactive Adrenal Gland
      • Primary Hyperadrenalism: Cushing's Syndrome
      • Primary Hyperadrenalism (Hypercortisolism)
      • Secondary Hyperadrenalism: Cushing's Disease
      • Tertiary Hyperadrenalism
      • What is the difference between Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome?
      • Endocrine test panels were ordered on a patient with a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. The values reported are ↑↑Cortisol, ↑↑...
    • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
      • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
      • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Laboratory Diagnostics
      • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia can best be described as which of the following?
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists and technicians, and other health care personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Ethan Kentzel, MLS(ASCP)CM holds a master's degree in Biomedicine and Business at Drexel University and a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from Slippery Rock University. Ethan has lab experience as a medical technologist working in various labs including Blood Bank, Immunogenetics/HLA, Microbiology, and briefly as a generalist. Currently, he works as an educator and Program Director for the Medical Laboratory Science and Phlebotomy programs at Reading Hospital School of Health Science. He also teaches at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and at Reading Area Community College as an adjunct.  
Reviewer Information: 
Lynda Kelly, MSBC, MT(ASCP), has over 20 years of laboratory experience working as a Medical Technologist, Laboratory Supervisor, Laboratory Manager, and Project Coordinator for Norton Healthcare in Louisville, KY. She holds a Masters of Business Communication from Spaulding University and a Bachelors in Medical Technology from the University of Louisville.
Marissa Wildung, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Laboratory Supervisor with nine years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and a Faculty Instructor for an MLT/Phlebotomy Program in Central Minnesota. Marissa holds a Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Cincinnati and is pursuing a Master's in Business Administration from St. Cloud State University. 

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 176 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
Adrenal Glands (Body)


Adrenal Gland Zones


Endocrine System (Shutterstock)


Pituitary Gland Overview


Limbic System