Let’s Talk about the Adrenal Gland

Anatomy of the adrenal glands:

Adrenal glands, which are also called suprarenal glands, are small, triangular glands located on top of both kidneys. An adrenal gland is made of two parts: the outer region is called the adrenal cortex and the inner region is called the adrenal medulla.

Function of the adrenal glands:

The adrenal glands work interactively with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the following process:

  • The hypothalamus produces corticotropin-releasing hormones, which stimulate the pituitary gland.
  • The pituitary gland, in turn, produces corticotropin hormones, which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroid hormones.

Disorders of the Adrenal Glands

There are many disorders of the adrenal glands that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the below are some of the conditions, for which we have provided a brief overview.