Adrenal gland functions, Adrenal glands tumor, Adrenal disorders
Adrenal glands (also known as supra renal glands) are the star shaped endocrine glands situated on top of the kidneys. Adrenal gland are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline hormones. The hormones secreted by the adrenal glands place an important role in the body, specially during stressful situations.
In human beings, the adrenal glands are situated at the level of 12th thoracic vertebra and have a weight of nearly 8 to 10 grams. Adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla are the two main structures of adrenal gland and the adrenal cortex produces the hormone cortisol, aldosterone and androgens. Adrenal medulla produces the hormone Epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Adrenal cortex
The adrenal cortex synthesizes the corticosteroid hormones by utilizing cholesterol in the body. Nearly 35 to 40 mg of cortisone acetate per day is produced by the adrenal glands in normal conditions of an individual. The cortical cells also produce androgens and testosterone. Aldosterone hormone helps to maintain water and electrolyte balance in the body. Hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus regulate the cortex of adrenal gland.
Adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla are the two main parts of adrenal gland.
Adrenal medulla
Inner part of the adrenal gland is the adrenal medulla. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are produced by the medulla. These hormones are mainly responsible for fight or flight response. Sympathetic nervous system stimulates the medulla of adrenal gland to produce Epinephrine and norepinephrine during stressful conditions.
The adrenal glands produce three major classes of hormones, and each of hormones helps during large stresses faced by animals and people almost in normal life. There is no doubt that at least two of these group glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are necessary for compensating stress in human beings.
Adrenal gland functions
The adrenal glands are the part of the body responsible for releasing three different classes of hormones. These hormones control many important functions in the body, such as
- Maintaining metabolic processes, such as managing blood sugar levels and regulating inflammation
- Adrenal hormones regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes
- Controlling the “fight or flight” response to stress
- Maintains pregnancy
- Initiating and controlling sexual maturation during childhood and puberty
The adrenal glands are also an important source of sex steroids such as estrogen and testosterone.
Adrenal gland disorders
Adrenal gland disorders : Adrenal gland disorders occur when the adrenal glands don’t work properly. Sometimes the cause is a problem in another gland that helps to regulate the adrenal gland. In other cases, the adrenal gland itself may have the problem. Adrenal tumors may lead to abnormal hormone secretions and causes number of abnormalities.
Cushing’s Syndrome : Cushing’s syndrome happens when a person’s body is exposed to too much of hormone cortisol secreted by adrenal gland. In Cushing’s syndrome, a person’s body makes more cortisol than it needs. Adrenal tumors are the main cause in the body to produce too much cortisol. Children are born with a form of adrenal hyperplasia that leads to Cushing syndrome. Certain medications also cause the body to make too much cortisol. Adrenal gland tumor can be removed by surgery.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia : Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a genetic disorder of adrenal gland deficiency. In this disorder, the body doesn’t make enough of the hormone cortisol. The bodies of people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia may also have other hormone imbalances such as not making enough aldosterone but making too much androgen.
Pituitary Tumors: The pituitary gland is located in the brain and helps to regulate the activity of most other glands in the body, including the adrenal glands. In rare cases, benign (non-cancerous) tumors may grow on the pituitary gland, which may restrict the hormones it releases.
In some cases, tumors on the pituitary can lead to Cushing’s syndrome – this is called Cushing disease. In other cases, the tumors reduce the adrenal gland’s release of hormones needed for the “fight or flight” response to stress. If the body is unable to handle physiological stress-a condition called Addison’s disease-it can be fatal.