Adrenal Gland PPT PDF

## Position and location - The adrenal glands located on the upper poles of each kidney on the right and left sides. - They are covered by peritoneum on the posterior abdominal wall, they are embedded into pre renal fat. - The left one is larger and higher than the right. **Adrenal gland measures:...

## Position and location - The adrenal glands located on the upper poles of each kidney on the right and left sides. - They are covered by peritoneum on the posterior abdominal wall, they are embedded into pre renal fat. - The left one is larger and higher than the right. **Adrenal gland measures:** - Width 3 cm - Length 5 cm - Thickness 1 cm - Weight 7-10 gm - Colour - yellowish ## The right adrenal gland - It is triangular in shape located on the upper pole of the right kidney behind the inferior vena cava. - It is related anterior to the inferior vena cava and the right lobe of the liver. - Posterior it is related to the right cruse of diaphragm. ## The left adrenal gland - It is crescent in shape located on the upper pole of the left kidney behind the stomach. - Anterior it is related to the stomach, the tail of pancreas and the lesser sac. - Posterior it is related to the left cruse of diaphragm. ## The blood supply - Each adrenal gland supply by three arteries: superior, middle and inferior supra renal arteries. - The superior supra renal artery branch from inferior phrenic artery which is branch from the aorta. - The middle supra renal artery branch from the aorta and the inferior supra renal artery branch from the renal artery. - The venous drainage by the supra renal vein on the right side at the inferior vena cava and on the left side at the left renal vein. ## Structure of adrenal gland - The adrenal gland formed of outer cortex which is yellow - forming the main mass of the gland and inner medulla completely enclosed by the cortex except at the hilum, the gland enclosed by capsule of connective tissue. - The cortex has mesoderm development while the medulla developed from the neural crest ## The adrenal cortex - The cortex of the adrenal cortex consist of three layers arranged from outer to inner: the zona glomerulosa, fasciculata, and reticularis. ### Zona glomerulosa - It is the outer layer located close to the capsule. - It is cells stimulated by ACTH and angiotensin 2 to secret minralocorticoids hormones which are the aldesterone and deoxycorticosterone. - They control the fluid and electrolytes balance in the body by affecting the renal tubules. ## Zona fasiculata - It is the middle largest layer of the cortex. - The cells of this layer secret the glycocorticoids which are the cortisol and hydrocortisone which are maintain the carbohydrate balance. ## Zona reticularis - it is the inner layers, it is cells secret the gonadocorticoids hormone which are the estrogen and androgen which supplemented the sex hormones. ## Adrenal Histology The image shows a diagram of the adrenal gland, with labels for: - Adrenal cortex - Adrenal medulla - Connective tissue capsule - Zona glomerulosa - Zona fasiculata - Zona reticularis - Medulla ## Steroids produced by the adrenals 1. Aldosterone 2. Cortisol 3. Epinephrine (Adrenaline) 4. Androgen The image shows a picture of a man with a surprised expression.