ADRENAL GLANDS

- Curve over top of kidneys

- Functionally 2 endocrine organs
 Glandular (cortex)
 Neural tissue (medulla)
- Central medulla region is enclosed by the adrenal cortex; contains 3 separate layers of cells

Hormones of the
Adrenal Cortex Mineralocorticoids
(Corticosteroids)
Mainly Aldosterone
Composition
Outermost adrenal cortex cell
Produced by layer
-Regulate mineral/salt
content of the blood (Na & K
ion concentration)
Functions
- Humoral factors (fewer
Na/K in blood), Renin
(enzyme produced when BP
drops) forms angiotensin II:
↑aldosterone = ↑
Take note reabsorption; secrete more K
ions in urine
- Atrial natriuretic peptide
(ANP) – prevents aldosterone
release
Glucocorticoids Sex Hormones
Cortisone and Cortisol Androgens and
Estrogen
Middle cortical layer Innermost
cortex layer
-Promote normal cell metabolism
-Helps body resist long-term stressors
by increasing blood glucose level
-Control unpleasant effects of
inflammation by decreasing edema
-Reduce pain by inhibitin prostaglandins
- ↑ glucocorticoids = fats & protein are -Produced in
broken down to glucose relatively small
- Glucocorticoids  Hyperglycemic amounts
hormones throughout the
life of both male
and female

HOMEOSTATIC IMBALANCE  Excessive water and sodium retained

 Addison’s Disease
 Generalized hyposecretion of all adrenal
cortex hormones
 Peculiar bronze tone of the skin
 ↓Aldosterone = sodium and water lost 
weak muscles, may cause shock
 Deficient levels of glucocorticoids
(hypoglycemia)  lessened ability to cope
with stress, suppression of immune system
 Hyperaldosteronism
 May result from ACTH-releasing tumor of
the pituitary or from adrenal cortical
tumors
 Hyperactivity of the outermost cortical
area
leading to high BP and Edema
 Cushing’s syndrome
 Hyperactivity of the middle cortical area
 May occur when patient has been receiving
pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids to
counteract inflammatory diseases
 Result in a swollen “moon face” &
appearance of “buffalo hump”
 Cause high BP, hyperglycemia, weakening
of bones, severe depression of the immune
system
 Masculinization
 May have masked effects in male but
dramatic in females
 Beard develops, and a masculine pattern of
body hair distribution occurs