Adrenal
Endocrine system
Adrenal gland
Latin	glandula suprarenalis
Gray's	subject #277 1278
System	Endocrine
Artery	superior suprarenal artery, middle suprarenal artery, Inferior suprarenal artery
Vein	suprarenal veins
Nerve	celiac plexus, renal plexus
Lymph	lumbar glands
MeSH	Adrenal+Glands
Dorlands/Elsevier	g_06/12392729

In mammals, the adrenal gland (also known as suprarenal glands) are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys; their name indicates that position (ad, "near" or "at" + renes, "kidneys"). They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline. Image File history File links Illu_endocrine_system. ... Image File history File links Illu_adrenal_gland. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ... In biology, an organ is a group of tissues which perform some function. ... Section of an artery For other uses, see Artery (disambiguation). ... Each (left and right) superior suprarenal artery is a branch of the inferior phrenic artery on that side of the body. ... The middle suprarenal arteries (middle capsular arteries; suprarenal arteries) are two small vessels which arise, one from either side of the abdominal aorta, opposite the superior mesenteric artery. ... Each renal artery gives off some small inferior suprarenal branches to the suprarenal gland, the ureter, and the surrounding cellular tissue and muscles. ... In the circulatory system, a vein is a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart. ... The Suprarenal Veins are two in number: the right ends in the inferior vena cava. ... Nerves (yellow) Nerves redirects here. ... The solar plexus, also known as the celiac plexus or plexus cœliacus, is an autonomous cluster of nerve cells (see Plexus) in the human body behind the stomach and below the diaphragm near the celiac artery in the abdominal cavity. ... The renal plexus is formed by filaments from the celiac plexus, the aorticorenal ganglion, and the aortic plexus . ... In mammals including humans, the lymphatic vessels (or lymphatics) are a network of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into tissues throughout the body. ... The lumbar lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes residing in the lumbar region. ... Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is a huge controlled vocabulary (or metadata system) for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books in the life sciences. ... Elseviers logo. ... Subclasses Subclass Allotheria* Order Docodonta (extinct) Order Multituberculata (extinct) Order Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Order Triconodonta (extinct) Order Volaticotheria (extinct) Subclass Prototheria Order Monotremata Subclass Theria Infraclass Trituberculata (extinct) Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals are a class of vertebrate animals characterized by the production of milk in females for the nourishment of... An endocrine gland is one of a set of internal organs involved in the secretion of hormones into the blood. ... It has been suggested that Renal anomalies and Renal plasma threshold be merged into this article or section. ... In medical terms, stress is a physical or psychological stimulus that can produce mental or physiological reactions that may lead to illness. ... Synthesis (from the ancient Greek σύν (with) and θεσις (placing), is commonly understood to be an integration of two or more pre-existing elements which results in a new creation. ... In physiology, corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. ... tyrosine epinephrine norepinephrine dopamine Synthesis This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that is involved in the response to stress; it increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels, may cause infertility in women, and suppresses the immune system. ... Epinephrine (INN) or adrenaline (BAN) is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. ...

Anatomy

Anatomically, the adrenal glands are located in the thoracic abdomen, situated on the anteriosuperior aspect of the kidneys. In humans, the adrenal glands are found at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra and receive their blood supply from the adrenal arteries. It has been suggested that Renal anomalies and Renal plasma threshold be merged into this article or section. ... A typical thoracic vertebra The thoracic vertebrae (vertebrae thoracales) compose the middle segment of the vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. ... The adrenal arteries are arteries in the human abdomen that supply blood to the adrenal glands. ...

The adrenal gland is separated into two distinct structures, both of which receive regulatory input from the nervous system: The Human Nervous System The nervous system of a human coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and also stops input from the senses, and initiates actions. ...

• Adrenal medulla

Main article: adrenal medulla

As its name suggests, the adrenal medulla is the central core of the adrenal gland, surrounded by the adrenal cortex. The chromaffin cells of the medulla are the body's main source of the catecholamine hormones adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). These water-soluble hormones, derived from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, are part of the fight-or-flight response initiated by the sympathetic nervous system. The adrenal medulla can be considered specialized ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system, lacking distinct synapses, instead releasing secretions directly into the blood.

• Adrenal cortex

Main article: adrenal cortex

By contrast, the adrenal cortex is devoted to the synthesis of corticosteroid hormones from cholesterol. Some cells belong to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and are the source of cortisol synthesis. Other cortical cells produce androgens such as testosterone, while some regulate water and electrolyte concentrations by secreting aldosterone. In contrast to the direct innervation of the medulla, the cortex is regulated by neuroendocrine hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, as well as by the renin-angiotensin system.

In mammals, the adrenal glands are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys. ... In mammals, the adrenal glands are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys. ... In mammals, the adrenal glands are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys. ... Epinephrine Norepinephrine Adrenal gland. ... tyrosine epinephrine norepinephrine dopamine Synthesis This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Epinephrine (INN) or adrenaline (BAN) is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. ... Norepinephrine, known as noradrenaline outside the USA, is a catecholamine and a phenethylamine with chemical formula C8H11NO3. ... Phe redirects here. ... Tyrosine (from the Greek tyros, meaning cheese, as it was first discovered in 1846 by German chemist Justus von Liebig in cheese[1][2]), 4-hydroxyphenylalanine, or 2-amino-3(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanoic acid, is one of the 20 amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize proteins. ... The fight-or-flight response, also called the acute stress response, was first described by Walter Cannon in 1929. ... Grays FIG. 838– The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. ... Grays FIG. 838– The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. ... Layers of cortex. ... Layers of cortex. ... Layers of cortex. ... In physiology, corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. ... Hormone is also the NATO reporting name for the Soviet/Russian Kamov Ka-25 military helicopter. ... Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol) and a lipid found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. ... The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) is a major part of the neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress and has important functions in regulating various body processes such as digestion, the immune system and energy usage. ... Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that is involved in the response to stress; it increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels, may cause infertility in women, and suppresses the immune system. ... Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. ... Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... An electrolyte is a substance containing free ions which behaves as an electrically conductive medium. ... Aldosterone is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by the enzyme aldosterone synthase. ... redirect Template:Db-reason synaptophysin ... The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea that sits in a small, bony cavity (pituitary fossa) covered by a dural fold (sellar diaphragm) at the base of the brain. ... The hypothalamus, also known as the master gland, links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. ... Schematic depicting how the RAAS works. ...

Arteries and veins

Although variations of the blood supply to the adrenal glands (and indeed the kidneys themselves) are common, there are usually three arteries that supply each adrenal gland:

• The superior suprarenal artery is provided by the inferior phrenic
• The middle suprarenal artery is provided by the abdominal aorta
• The Inferior suprarenal artery is provided by the renal artery

Venous drainage of the adrenal glands is achieved via the suprarenal veins: Each (left and right) superior suprarenal artery is a branch of the inferior phrenic artery on that side of the body. ... The inferior phrenic arteries are two small vessels, which supply the diaphragm but present much variety in their origin. ... The middle suprarenal arteries (middle capsular arteries; suprarenal arteries) are two small vessels which arise, one from either side of the abdominal aorta, opposite the superior mesenteric artery. ... AORTA can also mean always-on real-time access, referring to WAN computer networks. ... Each renal artery gives off some small inferior suprarenal branches to the suprarenal gland, the ureter, and the surrounding cellular tissue and muscles. ... Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The renal arteries normally arise off the abdominal aorta and supply the kidneys with blood. ... In geology, a vein is a regularly shaped and lengthy occurrence of an ore; a lode. ... The Suprarenal Veins are two in number: the right ends in the inferior vena cava. ...

• The right suprarenal vein ends in the inferior vena cava
• The left suprarenal vein ends in the left renal vein or the left inferior phrenic vein.

The suprarenal veins receive blood may form anastomoses with the inferior phrenic veins. The Suprarenal Veins are two in number: the right ends in the inferior vena cava. ... This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. ... The Suprarenal Veins are two in number: the right ends in the inferior vena cava. ... Kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ... The Inferior Phrenic Veins follow the course of the inferior phrenic arteries; the right ends in the inferior vena cava; the left is often represented by two branches, one of which ends in the left renal or suprarenal vein, while the other passes in front of the esophageal hiatus in... The Suprarenal Veins are two in number: the right ends in the inferior vena cava. ... Anastomoses any connection between two arteries providing collateral (redundant) circulation of blood to a tissue. ... The Inferior Phrenic Veins follow the course of the inferior phrenic arteries; the right ends in the inferior vena cava; the left is often represented by two branches, one of which ends in the left renal or suprarenal vein, while the other passes in front of the esophageal hiatus in...

Function

The adrenal glands secrete important hormones. The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and dopamine. On the other hand, the adrenal cortex secretes glucocorticoids (such as cortisol), mineralocorticoids (such as aldosterone), and androgens. Hormone is also the NATO reporting name for the Soviet/Russian Kamov Ka-25 military helicopter. ... In mammals, the adrenal glands are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys. ... Catecholamines are chemical compounds derived from the amino acid tyrosine that act as hormones or neurotransmitters. ... Epinephrine (INN) or adrenaline (BAN) is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. ... Adrenaline redirects here. ... Norepinephrine, known as noradrenaline outside the USA, is a catecholamine and a phenethylamine with chemical formula C8H11NO3. ... Norepinephrine (INN) or noradrenaline (BAN) is a catecholamine and a phenethylamine with chemical formula C8H11NO3. ... Dopamine is a phenethylamine naturally produced by the human body. ... Layers of cortex. ... The name glucocorticoid derives from early observations that these hormones were involved in glucose metabolism. ... Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that is involved in the response to stress; it increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels, may cause infertility in women, and suppresses the immune system. ... Mineralocorticoids is a class of steroids characterised by their similarity to aldosterone and their influence on salt and water metabolism. ... Aldosterone is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by the enzyme aldosterone synthase. ... Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates. ...

See also

• Fight-or-flight response
• Stress
• Geoffrey Bourne
• Adrenal (band)

The fight-or-flight response, also called the acute stress response, was first described by Walter Cannon in 1929. ... In medical terms, stress is a physical or psychological stimulus that can produce mental or physiological reactions that may lead to illness. ... Geoffrey Howard Bourne (17 November 1909 – 19 July 1988) was an Australian-U.S. anatomist and primatologist. ...

Links

• Antibodies to adrenal gland
• Immunofluorescence images

References

• MedlinePlus Encyclopedia 002219
• Virtual Slidebox at Univ. Iowa Slide 272
• Anatomy Atlases - Microscopic Anatomy, plate 15.292 - "Adrenal Gland"
• Histology at BU 14501loa
• SUNY Labs 40:03-0105 - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: The Retroperitoneal Fat and Suprarenal Glands"
• Adrenal Gland, from Colorado State University
• Cross section at UV pembody/body8a