ADRENAL GLAND
, INTRODUCTION/ANATOMY
• The adrenal glands are paired endocrine
organs consisting of a cortex and a medulla
• The cortex and medulla differ in their
development, structure, and function.
• The cortex and medulla are two glands
packaged as one structure.
• In adult, the normal gland weighs 4gm
• The adrenal cortex has three zones.
, INTRODUCTION/ANATOMY
• Beneath the capsule is the narrow layer of
zona glomerulosa
• This is followed by an intervening broad zone,
zona fasciculata
• The zona fasciculata makes up about 75% of
the total cortex.
• Next to this is also a narrow zona reticularis
which abuts the medulla.
, PHYSIOLOGY
• These adrenal cortex synthesizes three different types
of steroids:
• (1) glucocorticoids (principally cortisol), which are
synthesized primarily in the zona fasciculata and to a
lesser degree in the zona reticularis
• (2) mineralocorticoids, the most important being
aldosterone, which is produced in the zona glomerulosa
• (3) sex steroids(androgens-dehydroepiandrosterone
and androstenedione) which are produced largely in
the zona reticularis.
, INTRODUCTION/ANATOMY
• The adrenal glands are paired endocrine
organs consisting of a cortex and a medulla
• The cortex and medulla differ in their
development, structure, and function.
• The cortex and medulla are two glands
packaged as one structure.
• In adult, the normal gland weighs 4gm
• The adrenal cortex has three zones.
, INTRODUCTION/ANATOMY
• Beneath the capsule is the narrow layer of
zona glomerulosa
• This is followed by an intervening broad zone,
zona fasciculata
• The zona fasciculata makes up about 75% of
the total cortex.
• Next to this is also a narrow zona reticularis
which abuts the medulla.
, PHYSIOLOGY
• These adrenal cortex synthesizes three different types
of steroids:
• (1) glucocorticoids (principally cortisol), which are
synthesized primarily in the zona fasciculata and to a
lesser degree in the zona reticularis
• (2) mineralocorticoids, the most important being
aldosterone, which is produced in the zona glomerulosa
• (3) sex steroids(androgens-dehydroepiandrosterone
and androstenedione) which are produced largely in
the zona reticularis.
