Question

Adrenal glands- what is the overall gland structure? Can you name all the different regions and zones and what hormones they secrete? What are the functions of all these hormones?

Answer 1

Adrenal glands - This endocrine glands are also called suprarenal glands are situated over upper poles of kidney.

Shape of Adrenal glands - Right gland is in pyramidal shape and left gland is in semi-lunar shape.

Structure of Adrenal glands - The outer layer is called Cortex. The inner layer is called Medulla.

The cortex is divided in to three zones -

1. Zona glomerulosa - This zone secretes mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone.

Function - Aldosterone  helps in retention of Na+ and water there by increasing blood pressure.

2. Zona fasiculata - This zone secretes corticosteroids such as cortisol and androgens.

Function - Androgens helps in development of secondary sexual characters and Cortisol helps in regulation of metabolism.

3. Zona reticularis - This zone also secretes androgens and small amounts of corticosteroids.

Medulla - This medulla produces epinephrine and nor-epinephrine.

Function - This hormones plays role as neurotransmitter  in autonomic nervous system.