Adrenal glands are small glands, about 1/4 inch by 3 inches, located on top of each kidney on both sides of the body. These glands combine the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the adrenal glands work with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands to produce hormones that stimulate the pituitary. Adrenal glands also produce chemical hormones to assist the body's metabolism.
Adrenal Medulla
The adrenal glands are responsible for regulating the body's stress response. The adrenal medulla is in the center of the adrenal gland. The New World Encyclopedia notes that the adrenal medulla is only a quarter of the size of the adrenal gland and is made of ganglia, nerve cell tissue. This portion of the adrenal gland is responsible for the production of the body's stress hormones, adrenaline or epinephrine and noradrenalin or norepinephrine. These two hormones regulate the body's response to stress and regulate a normal state in the body after stress subsides. Epinephrine increases the rate of the heart and the force of its contractions, aids the flow of blood to the muscles and brain, causes smooth muscle tissue to relax, and converts glycogen to glucose in the liver. Norepinephrine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, assists the regulation of blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels. The adrenal medulla is in the center of the adrenal gland and surrounded by the adrenal cortex.
Adrenal Cortex
The adrenal cortex surrounds the adrenal medulla. This gland secretes hormones that affect the body's metabolism and regulates chemicals in the blood. The adrenal cortex secretes corticosteroids into the bloodstream. This portion of the adrenal gland is divided into three layers that regulate potassium in the body, manage the stress response and influence the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. The cortex, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, produces corticosteroids known as hydrocortisone or cortisol that control how the body uses fats, proteins and carbohydrates. This gland also produces corticosterone that inhibits inflammation. In addition, the adrenal cortex produces androgenic steroids that are involved in male characteristics.
Function
When a stressful condition occurs, either physically or psychologically, the adrenal glands attempt to manage that stress by producing and distributing hormones. Diseases such as Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrome occur when the adrenal glands malfunction and produce too little or too much cortisol.
