Adrenal Gland

also known as suprarenal glands

small, triangular-shaped glands
 What You Need
to Know
They produce hormones that help regulate your
metabolism, immune system, blood pressure,
response to stress and other essential
functions.
Anatomy of the
Adrenal Gland
It is made of two main parts: adrenal
cortex and adrenal medulla.

enveloped in an adipose capsule that

forms a protective layer around an
adrenal gland
 Anatomy of the
Adrenal Gland
ADRENAL CORTEX: Zona glomerulosa – produces and
secretes mineralocorticoids such as
Outer region (yellow aldosterone.
color) Zona fasciculata – produces and
Largest part secretes corticosteroids such as
cortisol. It also secretes a small
Three separate zones: amount of androgens.

zona glomerulosa, zona Zona reticularis – produces and

secretes androgens such
fasciculata and zona as dehydroepiandrosterone
reticularis (DHES). It also secretes a small
amount of corticosteroids.
secretes two
cholesterol derived
hormones–corticosteroids
and androgens
 Anatomy of the
Adrenal Gland

ADRENAL MEDULLA:
Inside the cortex (center of
adrenal gland)
Dark brown color
Produce fight-or-flight
response
Contains chromaffin cells
which secretes
cathecolamines (such as
adrenaline) in response to
stress, and secretes
enkephalins which function
in pain control
 Hormones of the
Adrenal Gland
role of the adrenal glands in your body is to release
certain hormones directly into the bloodstream

Cortisol ○ Aldosterone ○ DHEA and Androgenic Steroids

○ Epinephrine (Adrenaline) and Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)
Hormones of the Adrenal Gland
CORTISOL:
a glucocorticoid hormone
produced by the zona
fasciculata
helps control the body’s
use of fats, proteins and
carbohydrates; suppresses
inflammation; regulates
blood pressure; increases
blood sugar; and can also
decrease bone formation.
controls the sleep/wake
cycle. It is released during
times of stress to help your
body get an energy boost
and better handle an
emergency situation.
How Adrenal Glands Work to Produce
Cortisol
1. Hypothalamus produces corticotropin-
releasing hormone (CTH) (stimulates
pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropin
hormone (ACTH)
2. ACTH then stimulates the adrenal glands to
make and release cortisol hormones into the
blood.
3. Hypothalamus and the pituitary gland can
sense whether the blood has the appropriate
amount of cortisol circulating. If there is too
much or too little cortisol, these glands
respectively change the amount of CRH and
ACTH that gets released.
4. Excess cortisol production can occur from
nodules in the adrenal gland or excess
production of ACTH from a tumor in the
pituitary gland or other source.
 Hormones of the
Adrenal Gland
ALDOSTERONE:
a multicorticoid hormone produced by
the zona glomerulosa Without aldosterone,
Regulates blood pressure and certain kidney loses excessive
electrolytes (sodium and potassium) amounts of salt (sodium)
Sends signals to the kidneys, then and water, leading to
kidneys absorb more sodium into dehydration and low
bloodstream and releasing potassium blood pressure
into the urine
Helps regulate the blood pH by
controlling he levels of electrolytes in
the blood
 Hormones of the
Adrenal Gland
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and
Androgenic Steroids:
hormones produced by the zona
reticularis
all have weak effects
play a role in early development of male
sex organs in childhood, and femaly
body hair during puberty
Estrogens and androgens are produced
in much larger amounts by ovaries and
testes
 Hormones of the
Adrenal Gland
EPINEPHRINE (ADRENALINE) and
NOREPINEPHRINE (NORADRENALINE)
hormones secreted by adrenal medulla
Increase heart rate and force of heart contractions,
increasing blood flow to the muscles and brain,
relaxing airway smooth muscles, and assisting in
glucose (sugar) metabolism
Control squeezing of the blood vessels
(vasoconstriction) helping maintain blood pressure
and increase response to stress
Activated in physically and emotionally stressful
situations when your body needs additional
resources and energy to endure unusual strain
Adrenal Gland
Disorders
 Adrenal Gland
Disorders
ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
It occurs when the adrenal
glands don’t make enough of the
hormone cortisol
Adrenal insufficiency can be primary
or secondary:
Primary adrenal Secondary adrenal insufficiency. This
insufficiency. (Addison's disease) starts when the pituitary gland doesn’t
It occurs when the adrenal glands are make enough of the hormone ACTH
damaged. They don’t make enough of (adrenocorticotropin). As a result the
the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. adrenal glands don’t make enough
This condition is rare and may occur at cortisol. Lack of hormone ACTH leads to
any age. It is most often caused when this and can happen if steroids are
your immune system attacks your taken for a long time.
healthy adrenal glands by mistake.
 Adrenal Gland
Disorders
CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA
Adrenal insufficiency can result from a genetic
disorder.
Children born with this disorder are missing an
essential enzyme necessary to produce cortisol,
aldosterone, or both.
They often experience excess of androgen which
may lead male characteristics in girls and precocious
puberty in boys
Can remain undiagnosed for years depending on the
severity of deficiency.
 Adrenal Gland
Disorders
EXCESS OF ALDOSTERONE: HYPERALDOSTERONISM
Results from overproduction of aldosterone from one
or both adrenal glands
Increase in blood pressure that often requires
medications to control
Some people can develop low potassium levels in
the blood which can cause muscle aches, weakness
and spasms
When the cause is adrenal oversecretion, it is called
Conn syndrome
 Adrenal Gland
Disorders
EXCESS OF ADRENALINE OR NORADRENALINE:
PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA
Pheochromocytoma is a tumor that results in excess
production of adrenaline or noradrenaline.
May cause persistent or sporadic high blood
pressure that may be difficult to control with regular
medications
Symptoms may include headaches, sweating,
tremors, anxiety, and rapid heartbeat
 Adrenal Gland
Disorders
ADRENAL CANCER
Malignant adrenal tumors are rare and often have
spread to other organs and tissues.
These tumors tend to grow fairly large
Cancerous adrenal tumors can be functional and
release excess of one or more hormones
accompanied by symptoms.
Patients may experience abdominal pain, feeling of
abdominal fullness especially when tumor gets large