Chapter 20.4, Problem 1LO

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The location of adrenal glands in the human body.

Introduction:

The adrenal glands, also referred to as the fight or flight glands, contain two endocrine organs, namely the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex. These two organs surround each other, with adrenal medulla assuming the interior, and adrenal cortex assuming the exterior position. The adrenal medulla is a sympathetic ganglion, in which the neurons have lost axons and become secretory cells. It is derived from neuroectoderm and comprises of chromaffin cells.

This layer occupies 28% of the adrenal gland, whereas the rest is occupied by adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex is composed of cortical cells which synthesize and secrete a variety of corticosteroids. It is further divided into three layers, namely, zona fasciculate, zona glomerulosa, and zona reticularis. It occupies 80% of the adrenal glands.