Adrenal glands

Adrenal glands are triangle-shaped glands located on top of the kidneys.

The outer part of the adrenal gland is called the cortex and produces steroid hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone. The inner part of the adrenal gland is called the medulla and produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are commonly called adrenaline and noradrenaline.

When the glands produce more or less hormones than your body needs, you can become sick.

Information

Related topics:

• Addison's disease
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Cushing syndrome
• Hirsutism
• Hump behind shoulders
• Hypoglycemia
• Primary aldosteronism
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Parker KL, Rainey WE. The adrenal glands. In: Griffin JE, Ojeda SR, eds. Textbook of Endocrine Physiology. New York: Oxford University Press; 2004:319-348.

Endocrine glands	Adrenal glands

Review Date: 11/23/2009
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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