Glomerulosa

How Adrenal Glands Work

The adrenal glands are made up of two different parts: the medulla (inner portion) and the cortex (outer portion). The adrenal medulla is responsible for making the two catecholamine hormones, which are epinephrine and norepinephrine. These two...

Cells of the Adrenal Gland

The adrenal glands are a pair of organs above the kidneys which produce hormones. The outer covering is called the adrenal cortex and is comprised of three layers: the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis. The inner core...

Addison's Disease & Potassium

Addison's disease is primarily an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system attacks the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. As a result of a decrease in the hormones released by the adrenal glands, the kidneys hold onto potassium....

Functions of the Adrenal Cortex

An adrenal gland is found on the upper edge of each kidney, where it is attached to the kidney. Composed of two parts, the inner part of the gland is called the adrenal medulla. The outer part is the adrenal cortex. There are three areas, or...

Adrenal Gland Adenoma

Adrenal adenomas are benign tumors in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands lie on top of the kidneys and synthesize and release hormones. Depending on the location of the tumor, it may increase the secretion of cortisol, aldosterone, adrenalin...

Adrenal Glands in Humans

The adrenal glands, also known as the suprarenal glands, are part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system produces hormones, substances that regulate the activity of body organs and tissues. Beginning in the womb, the adrenal glands produce...

Adrenal Gland Structure & Function

The two adrenal glands are also called the suprarenal glands, because each sits on top of a kidney. The glands are organized into different sections, each of which is responsible for making substances that affect various functions within the body....

How the Adrenal Glands Work

The adrenal glands are two small organs located on top of each kidney, and they each consist of two main regions--the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex. The adrenal medulla produces the catecholamines epinephrine (adrenaline) and...

Adrenal Gland Issues

The adrenal glands sit just above the kidneys. Their function is to make hormones crucial for life. There are two major areas of each adrenal gland: the outer cortex and inner medulla. The cortex is further subdivided into a zona glomerulosa, zona...

What Are the Causes of Pediatric Adrenal Insufficiency?

The adrenal gland is an endocrine organ that sits on top of the kidney and it produces hormones that have widespread effects on the regulation and response of the body. The adrenal gland is part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is...