The document provides a detailed overview of the anatomy and structure of the adrenal glands, highlighting their location, shape, and size, as well as their internal organization into the cortex and medulla. It describes the different zones of the adrenal cortex and their respective functions, including the production of hormones like glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Additionally, the document touches on blood supply, lymphatic drainage, nerve supply, and conditions related to adrenal gland dysfunction.

1. ANATOMY OF ADRENAL
GLANDS
By-
Dr. Geeta Dolli
Associate Professor

2. ADRENAL (SUPRARENAL)
GLAND
Adrenal glands are a pair of important
Endocrine glands situated on the
posterior abdominal wall over the upper
pole of kidneys behind the peritoneum.

3.  LOCATION;
Epigastrium, at the upper pole of kidney.
Infront of the crus of the diaphragm,opposite the vertibral
end of the11th intercostal space and12th rib.
SIZE, SHAPE AND WEIGHT
Length-50mm
Bredth-30mm
Thickness-10mm and
Weight-5g
Rt-Triangular or Pyramidal
Lt-Semilunar
SHEATHS: Areolar tissue+fat, perirenal fascia

5. RIGHT ADRENAL GLAND
 The Right Adrenal Gland is triangular in shape
Apex- Bare area of liver
 Base- Upper pole of right kidney
 Surfaces 2 in Number
• Anterior surface- Inferior vena cava, Right lobe of
liver, duodenum
• Posterior surface- Right crus of diaphragm
 Borders 3 in number
• Anterior- hilum, suprarenal vein
• Medial- Right coeliac ganglion, right inferior
phrenic artery
• Lateral- Liver

6. LEFT ADRENAL GLAND
 The Left Adrenal Gland is semi- circular in shape
 2 Ends
 Upper- Posterior end of spleen
 Lower- Hilum, left suprarenal vein
 2 Surfaces
 Anterior- stomach,splenic artery, pancreas
 Posterior- Kidney, Left crus of diaphragm
 2 Borders
 Medial- Left coeliac ganglion, left inferior
phrenic artery,left gastric artery
 Lateral- Stomach

7. STRUCTURE OF ADRENAL GLAND
 ANATOMY OF ADRENAL GLANDS
 The adrenal glands are paired bodies lying
cranial to the kidneys within the retroperitoneal
space.
 The glands consist of two layers;
I. cortex
II. medulla

9. The adrenal cortex is red to light
brown in colour and is composed of
three zones. From the outer to inner,
the layers are;
1. zonaglomerulosa
2. zonafasciculata
3. zonareticularis
The adrenal cortex represents 80-
90% of the adrenal gland.
The adrenal medulla represents
only
10-20% of the adrenal gland.

10. • The adrenal glands are firm, and
their capsule is easily fractured on
flexion. The cortex on appearance is
yellow and radially striated, whilst
the medulla is darker with a more
uniform appearance.
• The zonaglomerulosa is narrow
and the cells are in a whorled
pattern.
• The zonafasiculata is wide and the
cells lie in columns and
the zonareticularis is more
randomly organised.

11. Cortex
Medulla
Catecholamine
Zona reticularis
Sex hormones
Zona fesciculata
Glucocorticoids
Zona glomerulosa
Mineralocorticoids

12. BLOOD SUPPLY
Arteries
• Superior suprarenal
artery
• Middle suprarenal
artery
• Inferior suprarenal
artery
Veins
• Right suprarenal vein
• Left suprarenal vein

13. LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE AND
NERVE SUPPLY
Lymphatic drainage
• Lumbar lymph nodes
Nerve supply
• Preganglionic sympathetic fibers
• Postganglionic sympathetic fibers-
chromaffin cells

14. APPLIED ANATOMY
Addison’s disease
Cushing’s syndrom
Adrenogenital syndrom
Adrenalectomy
Phaeochromocytoma
Ectopic sites
Masculinisation/ Feminisation