The adrenal glands, also known as suprarenal glands, are paired endocrine glands situated over the medial aspect of the upper poles of each kidney. The adrenal glands are located in the posterior abdomen, positioned between the superomedial kidney and the diaphragm. The right adrenal gland has a pyramidal shape, while the left gland is semi-lunar. These glands are enclosed by the perinephric (renal) fascia, which also surrounds the kidneys size and Weight: Each adrenal gland measures approximately 5 cm in length, 3 cm in width, and up to 1 cm in thickness. The combined weight of both glands in an adult human ranges from 7 to 10 grams. Their color is yellowish. The adrenal glands are surrounded by a fatty capsule and lie within the renal fascia, which also envelops the kidneys Anatomical Structure: The adrenal glands consist of three main components: Outer Connective Tissue Capsule: Surrounds the entire gland. Cortex: The outer functional portion,It can be further divided into three zones: Zona glomerulosa: Produces mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone). Zona fasciculata: Produces corticosteroids (e.g., cortisol) and a small amount of androgens. Zona reticularis: Secretes androgens (e.g., dehydroepiandrosterone) and some corticosteroids. Medulla: The inner functional portion, derived from ectodermal neural crest cells. It contains chromaffin cells that secrete catecholamines (such as adrenaline) in response to stress. ADRENAL CORTEX: - 🞭 It produces three hormones: Glucocorticoids Mineralocorticoids Sex hormones (androgens) These are collectively called as adrenocorticoids. Glucocorticoids: - Cortisol, corticosterone and cortisone are the main Glucocorticoids They are essential for life, regulating metabolism and stress They are high in between 4 to 8 am Lowest between midnight and 3 am . Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone): - Aldosterone is the main mineralocorticoids It maintains Water and electrolyte balance C. Sex hormones: - Androgens are the main sex hormones.They contribute to the onset of puberty Functions: Puberty: Androgens help initiate puberty, leading to physical maturation. Bone Density: They play a role in maintaining bone strength. Muscle Development: Androgens contribute to muscle growth. Red Blood Cell Production: They influence the production of red blood cells. Sexual Desire and Function: Androgens are crucial for sexual health and function. ADRENAL MEDULLA : The adrenal medulla, which is the inner part of the adrenal gland, plays a crucial role in well-being. It secretes hormones such as adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and noradrenaline (also known as norepinephrine). Normal levels : Normal levels of aldosterone is 5 to 30 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Normal cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day. In the morning (around 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.), 7.2 to 63.3 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) Free Androgen Index (FAI) men: 30-150.

1. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF ADRENAL
GLAND
MRS.WINCY THIRUMURUGAN.
PROFESSOR

2. ADRENAL GLANDS/SUPRA RENAL GLANDS.
 The adrenal glands, also
known as suprarenal
glands, are paired
endocrine glands situated
over the medial aspect of
the upper poles of each
kidney.

3. •The adrenal glands
are located in
the posterior
abdomen,
positioned between
the superomedial
kidney and the
diaphragm.

4. •The right adrenal gland has
a pyramidal shape, while
the left gland is semi-lunar.
•These glands are enclosed by
the perinephric (renal) fascia,
which also surrounds the
kidneys

5. size and Weight:
•Each adrenal gland measures approximately 5 cm in length, 3 cm
in width, and up to 1 cm in thickness.
•The combined weight of both glands in an adult human ranges
from 7 to 10 grams.
•Their color is yellowish.
•The adrenal glands are surrounded by a fatty capsule and lie
within the renal fascia, which also envelops the kidneys

6. Anatomical Structure: The adrenal glands consist of three main
components:
1.Outer Connective Tissue Capsule: Surrounds the entire gland.
2.Cortex: The outer functional portion,It can be further divided into three
zones:
• Zona glomerulosa: Produces mineralocorticoids (e.g.,
aldosterone).
• Zona fasciculata: Produces corticosteroids (e.g., cortisol) and a
small amount of androgens.
• Zona reticularis: Secretes androgens (e.g.,
dehydroepiandrosterone) and some corticosteroids.

7. 3. Medulla:
The inner functional portion, derived from
ectodermal neural crest cells. It
contains chromaffin cells that secrete
catecholamines (such as adrenaline) in
response to stress.

10. 1. ADRENAL CORTEX: -
🞭 It produces three hormones:
 Glucocorticoids
 Mineralocorticoids
 Sex hormones (androgens)
These are collectively called as adrenocorticoids.

11. A. Glucocorticoids: -
 Cortisol, corticosterone and
cortisone are the main Glucocorticoids
 They are essential for life,
regulating metabolism and stress
 They are high in between 4 to 8 am
 Lowest between midnight and 3 am

12. Effects:
 Gluconeogenesis (formation of new sugar)
Lipolysis (breakdown of triglycerides into fatty acids
and glycerol for
energy production).
In pathology and pharmacology:
🞭 Have an anti-inflammatory action.
🞭 Suppress the immune response.
🞭 Suppress the response of tissue to injury.
🞭 Delay wound healing.

13. B. Mineralocorticoids
(aldosterone): -
Aldosterone is the
main
mineralocorticoids
 It maintains
Water and electrolyte balance

14. DISORDERS OF ADRENAL CORTEX
1. Cushing’s syndrome: -
It is caused due to hyper secretion of glucocorticoids
Characteristic features:
 Pain in face, neck and abdomen
 Pathological fractures
 Diminished protein synthesis
 Suppression of growth
 Hypertension
 Menstrual disturbance
 Peptic ulcers

16. 2. Conn’s syndrome: -
🞭 This is due to excessive secretion of mineralocorticoids.
🞭 It is usually caused by tumor
affecting only one adrenal gland

17. 3. Addison’s disease:
 It is due to hypo secretion of glucocorticoids and
mineralocorticoids
 Caused by autoimmune disease
Effects:
🞭 Muscle weakness.
🞭 Vomiting and diarrhea.
🞭 Tiredness.
🞭 Mental confusion.
🞭 Low blood volume.
🞭 Hypotension.
🞭 Loss of body hairs in women.

18. C. Sex hormones: -
 Androgens are the main sex hormones.They contribute to the onset of
puberty
Functions:
• Puberty: Androgens help initiate puberty, leading to physical maturation.
• Bone Density: They play a role in maintaining bone strength.
• Muscle Development: Androgens contribute to muscle growth.
• Red Blood Cell Production: They influence the production of red blood
cells.
• Sexual Desire and Function: Androgens are crucial for sexual health
and function.

19. • Voice Changes: In males, androgens contribute to vocal cord lengthening,
resulting in a deeper voice.
• Hair Growth: Androgens stimulate hair growth on the face, scalp, chest,
underarms, and genitals.
• Sperm Development: In males, androgens are essential for sperm
production.
• Conversion to Estrogen: In females, androgens can be converted
into estradiol, a form of estrogen. Estradiol regulates menstruation, aids
conception, minimizes bone loss (osteoporosis), and stimulates hair growth

20. Common Health Issues:
•Hyperandrogenism (high androgen levels) It is often
associated with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS).
•Hypoandrogenism (low androgen levels) can lead to issues
such as bone fractures, osteoporosis, fatigue, and low sex
drive

21. ADRENAL MEDULLA :
• The adrenal medulla, which is the inner part of the adrenal gland,
plays a crucial role in well-being.
• It secretes hormones such as adrenaline (also known
as epinephrine) and noradrenaline (also known
as norepinephrine).
• Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) are
involved in the “fight or flight” response.

22. ADRENAL MEDULLA

23. Adrenaline (Epinephrine):
Function: Adrenaline is released in response to low blood sugar levels or during exercise.
It helps the body react to stress by:
1.Delivering extra oxygen to muscles.
2.Increasing blood pressure and heart output.
3.Widening small arteries.
Other Roles:
1.Contributes to the brain’s ability to store memories.
2.Helps to wake up.
3.Increases attention and focus.
4.Supports emotional health.

26. Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine):
Function: Noradrenaline assists the body in responding to stress by:
1.Increasing blood sugar levels.
2.Narrowing blood vessels.
3.Raising your blood pressure.
4.Noradrenaline also contributes to the brain’s ability to store memories and
supports emotional health.

29. Excessive adrenaline or norepinephrine can cause:
•high blood pressure
•anxiety
•excessive sweating
•heart palpitations
•Headaches
•pheochromocytoma, a tumor that forms in adrenal glands

30. Deficiency/Low levels of epinephrine and
norepinephrine can contribute to a variety of
physical and mental conditions, including:
•Depression
•anxiety
•fibromyalgia
•hypoglycemia
•migraine
•restless legs syndrome
•sleep disorders

31. Normal levels :
•Normal levels of aldosterone can vary, but typically, it falls
within the range of 5 to 30 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
•Normal cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day. In the
morning (around 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.), the normal range is
approximately 7.2 to 63.3 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL)
•Free Androgen Index (FAI) in healthy adult men: 30-150