![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/kidneys_and_adrenals.png\")
<\/a>Functions<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe suprarenal glands produce two distinct groups of vital hormones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Cortical hormones<\/strong>
- Released from 3 layers of the cortex.<\/li>
- Mineralocorticoids<\/strong>\u00a0(aldosterone)
- Control electrolyte balance<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Glucocorticoids<\/strong>\u00a0(cortisol)
- Control glucose metabolism<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Androgens<\/strong>\u00a0(DHE)
- Sex hormones<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Medullary hormones<\/strong>
- Catecholamines<\/strong> (mostly epinephrine and norepinephrine)
- Released during a fight or flight response<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/adrenal_gland_zones-600x172.png\")
<\/a>A cross-section of the adrenal gland, with a diagram explaining the tissue areas and the hormones released<\/strong> (Credit: OpenStax, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/span>\nLocation<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe suprarenal glands are associated with the superior pole of each kidney, separated from them by a thin septum, embedded within the perirenal fat, which is covered by the renal fascia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The left suprarenal gland is around the height of T11 vertebral body, and the right gland is around T12<\/li>
- The right gland is located between the right lobe of the liver and the inferior vena cava<\/li>
- The left gland is located posterior to parts of the stomach, pancreas, and in some cases the spleen<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Neurovasculature<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nBlood supply<\/strong><\/td>Superior suprarenal (adrenal) arteries<\/strong> from the inferior phrenic arteries (branches of the abdominal aorta)
Middle suprarenal arteries<\/strong> from the abdominal aorta
Inferior suprarenal <\/strong>arteries <\/strong>from the renal arteries<\/td><\/tr>Venous drainage<\/strong><\/td>Right suprarenal vein<\/strong> drains to the inferior vena cava
Left suprarenal vein <\/strong>drains to the left renal vein (and then to the IVC)<\/td><\/tr>Innervation<\/strong><\/td>Superior mesenteric plexus <\/td><\/tr> Lymphatic drainage<\/strong><\/td>Aortic (left) and caval (right) lymph nodes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Table 1. Neurovasculature of the suprarenal glands.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>
- Released from 3 layers of the cortex.<\/li>
- Mineralocorticoids<\/strong>\u00a0(aldosterone)
- Control electrolyte balance<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Glucocorticoids<\/strong>\u00a0(cortisol)
- Control glucose metabolism<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Androgens<\/strong>\u00a0(DHE)
- Sex hormones<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Medullary hormones<\/strong>
- Catecholamines<\/strong> (mostly epinephrine and norepinephrine)
- Released during a fight or flight response<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a>
A cross-section of the adrenal gland, with a diagram explaining the tissue areas and the hormones released<\/strong> (Credit: OpenStax, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/span>\n Location<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
The suprarenal glands are associated with the superior pole of each kidney, separated from them by a thin septum, embedded within the perirenal fat, which is covered by the renal fascia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The left suprarenal gland is around the height of T11 vertebral body, and the right gland is around T12<\/li>
- The right gland is located between the right lobe of the liver and the inferior vena cava<\/li>
- The left gland is located posterior to parts of the stomach, pancreas, and in some cases the spleen<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Neurovasculature<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
Blood supply<\/strong><\/td> Superior suprarenal (adrenal) arteries<\/strong> from the inferior phrenic arteries (branches of the abdominal aorta)
Middle suprarenal arteries<\/strong> from the abdominal aorta
Inferior suprarenal <\/strong>arteries <\/strong>from the renal arteries<\/td><\/tr>Venous drainage<\/strong><\/td> Right suprarenal vein<\/strong> drains to the inferior vena cava
Left suprarenal vein <\/strong>drains to the left renal vein (and then to the IVC)<\/td><\/tr>Innervation<\/strong><\/td> Superior mesenteric plexus <\/td><\/tr> Lymphatic drainage<\/strong><\/td> Aortic (left) and caval (right) lymph nodes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Table 1. Neurovasculature of the suprarenal glands.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>
- Released during a fight or flight response<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Catecholamines<\/strong> (mostly epinephrine and norepinephrine)