A small endocrine gland on top of each kidney that produces stress hormones, mineralocorticoids, and small amounts of sex hormones.
Structure
Each adrenal has an outer cortex divided into three zones and an inner medulla. The cortex makes steroid hormones from cholesterol; the medulla makes catecholamines such as adrenaline.
Function
The medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline during acute stress, while the cortex provides slower, sustained responses through cortisol and aldosterone.
Clinical note
Underproduction by the cortex causes Addison disease, while overproduction can cause Cushing syndrome or primary aldosteronism.
Find more body parts by letter
Adrenal Gland starts with A and ends with D. Browse other body parts along the same letter.
Body Parts that contain a letter from "Adrenal Gland":