The adrenal glands, essential for survival, produce vital hormones that regulate stress responses and metabolism. They secrete corticosteroids, classified into mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones, with glucocorticoids like cortisol playing a major role in glucose metabolism and stress response. The adrenal medulla, comprising adrenaline and noradrenaline, complements these functions by modulating heart rate and blood pressure in response to stress.

1. ADRENAL GLANDS &
THEIR HORMONES
Dr.Sofia Perveen

2. •Adrenal glands are called the ‘life-saving
glands’ or ‘essential endocrine glands’.
•It is because the absence of adrenocortical
hormones causes death within 3 to 15 days
and absence of adrenomedullary hormones,
drastically decreases the resistance to
mental and physical stress

3. HORMONES OF ADRENAL CORTEX
•Adrenocortical hormones are steroids in
nature, hence the name ‘corticosteroids’.
•Based on their functions, corticosteroids are
classified into three groups
•1. Mineralocorticoids
•2. Glucocorticoids
•3. Sex hormones.

7. GLUCOCORTICOIDS
•Glucocorticoids act mainly on glucose
metabolism. Glucocorticoids are:
•1. Cortisol
•2. Corticosterone
•3. Cortisone.

9. Major events in general stress syndrome
• 1. As a result of stress , nerve impulses are transmitted
to hypothalamus .
• 2.Sympathetic impulses arising from the
hypothalamus increases blood glucose conc. , blood
glycerol conc. , blood fatty acid conc., heart rate, blood
pressure , and breathing rate. They dilate air
passages , shunt blood into skeletal muscles , and
increase secretion of epinephrine from the adrenal
medulla .
• 3. Epinephrine intensifies and prolongs sympathetic
actions .

10. • 5. ACTH stimulates release of Cortisol by the adrenal cortex.
• 6. Cortisol increases the conc. of blood amino acids, releases
fatty acids, and forms glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.
• 7. Secretion of glucagons from the pancreas and growth
hormone from the anterior pituitary increase .
• 8. Glucagons and growth hormone aid mobilization of energy
sources and stimulate uptake of amino acids by cells.
• 9. Secretion of ADH from post. Pituitary increases .
• 10. ADH promotes the retention of H2O by the kidneys, which
increases blood volume.
• 11. Renin increases blood level of angiotnsin II, which acts as a
vasoconstrictor and also stimulates Aldosterone secretion by
the adrenal cortex .Aldosteron increase Na+ retention by the

11. Stress and Adrenal Gland

12. The control pathway of Cortisol

13. Control pathway of Cortisol

15. Adrenal Medulla
• Medulla is the inner part of adrenal gland and it forms
20% of the mass of adrenal gland. It is made up of
interlacing cords of cells known as chromaffin cells
• 1. Adrenaline-secreting cells (90%)
• 2. Noradrenaline-secreting cells (10%).
• Adrenal medullary hormones are the amines
derived from catechol and so these hormones are
called catecholamines derived.
• 1. Adrenaline or epinephrine
• 2. Noradrenaline or norepinephrine