Paired adrenal gland are pyramid-shaped organs located above kidneys.
Where that are enlosed in fibrous capsule and cushion of fat.
An adrenal gland sites like cap on superior bpole of each kidney, called suprarenal glands.
Size;
Adrenal is about 5cm long, 3cm wide and weighs about 4 gm
Arterial blood supply to glands is by branches from abdominal aorta and renal arteries.
Venous return is by suprarenal veins. The right gland drains into inferior venacava and left into left renal vein.
Adrenal gland are composed of two part which have different structures and functions.
Outer part is adrenal cortex and inner part is adrenal medulla.
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal cortex has three layer-
1. Outer zona glomerulosa
Produce mineralocorticoids, hormone that help control balance of minerals and water in blood. Example; Aldosterone
2. Middle zonafasciculata
Produce metabolic hormone, glucocorticoids (stress hormone)
3. Inner Zona reticularis
Produce adrenal sex hormones or gonadocorticoids. Example; Androgens
Hormones of Adrenal Cortex
1. Mineralocorticoides
(by zona glomerulosa only)
2. Glucocorticoids
3. Gonadocorticoids/ sex hormone
1. Mineralocorticoides (Aldosterone)
Aldosterone is main mineralocorticoids. Its functions are associated with maintenance of water and electrolyte balance in body.
2. Gonadocorticoids / Sex hormones
Gonadocorticoids secreted by adrenal cortex; male sex hormone, androgen in male and female sex hormone; estrogen in female.
3. Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids influence energy metabolism of most body cells and help us to resist stressors and anti-inflammatory response glucocorticoid hormones include cortisol hormone.
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