Symptoms & Diagnosis

The two adrenal glands are located immediately anterior to the kidneys, beneath the peritoneum. There are two parts in the gland that have different embryological origins and are functionally different endocrine organs: The Medulla and the Cortex.

The hormones secreted from the Medulla have the same effect on the organs as the sympathetic nervous system. The most common stimuli for the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine are exercise, hypoglycemia, hemorrhage and stress.

The Cortex synthesizes and secretes three classes of hormones: glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone) and androgens (e.g., testosterone).

Glucocorticoids affect metabolism and help raise the level of blood glucose. In addition, they are widely used in therapy since they have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties.

Mineralocorticoids affect mineral metabolism. Aldosterone is a steroid which targets the distal tubule of the kidney and stimulates re-uptake of sodium and potassium.

Androgens such as testosterone are secreted by the adrenal cortex. Excessive production of adrenal androgens can cause premature puberty in young boys and masculine pattern of body hair in females.

Cortisol and other glucocorticoids are released in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary which, in turn, is controlled and regulated by a hypothalamic peptide corticotrophin-releasing hormone.

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