Adrenal gland

Disorders of the adrenal glands

• Cushing’s disease
• Cushing’s Syndrome ----------------------------→
• Hyperaldosteronism “Conn’s Syndrome”
• Addison’s Disease
• Pheochromocytoma

Adrenal glands

Also known as suprarenal glands Endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones Each gland has an outer cortex and an inner medulla

The adrenal cortex is divided into 3 zones:

• Zona glomerulosa
• Zona fasciculata
• Zona reticularis

Mineralocorticoids:

• Zona glomerulosa
• Produces aldosterone
• Helps in the regulation of blood pressure and electrolytes balance
  • Na retention
  • Water retention
  • K+ excretion

Glucocorticoids:

• Zona fasciculata
• Cortisol and cortisone
• Helps in the regulation of the metabolism and immune system suppression
• CORTISOL is responsible for control & metabolism of:
  • A. CHO (carbohydrates)
    • Increases glucose formation
    • Increases glucose release
  • B. FATS:
    • Control of fat metabolism
    • Stimulates fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue
  • C. PROTEINS:
    • Control of protein metabolism
    • Stimulates protein synthesis in liver & protein breakdown in tissues
  • D. Others:
    • Inflammatory and allergic response
    • Immune system therefore increases the risk of infection

Adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH

• Produced in the anterior pituitary gland
• Individual biorhythms
  • Highest in the early morning
  • Gradually decrease on the rest of the day
• Stress- Increases cortisol production

ANDROGENS:

• Zona reticularis
• Produces androgens that are converted to fully functional sex hormones in the gonads and other target organs
• Hormones which increases male characteristics via release of testosterone

Adrenal medulla: It produces catecholamines (Epinephrine, and Norepinephrine)

Catecholamines produce a rapid response throughout the body in stress situations.