ADRENAL GLAND

Dr. Fatimah Eliana, SpPD, KEMD

ADRENAL GLAND
1. The

adrenal, or
suprarenal, gland
is paired.
2. They are located
on the upper
portion of each
kidney

ADRENAL GLAND

Adrenal Gland is divided into TWO distinct parts:

1. Adrenal Cortex
from mesoderm
2. Adrenal Medulla
from ectoderm

Adrenal Gland

Adrenal Cortex

Adrenal Medulla

From Mesoderm

From Neural crest

Figure 25.9a

ADRENAL CORTEX

ADRENAL CORTEX
The adrenal cortex
is divided into:
1. Zona glomerulosa
2. Zona fasciculata
3. Zona reticularis

Adrenal Cortex
Zona glomerulosa
mineralocorticoids e.g. aldosterone
Zona fasciculata
glucocorticoids e.g. cortisol
Zona reticularis
Androgens e.g. testosterone and
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONES

They are all steroids

The synthesis of the hormones involves
cytochrome P-450 enzymes
The enzymes are located in the mitochondria
and endoplasmic reticulum
Each zone secretes the hormones of ONLY
one pathway according to the group of
enzymes present

Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex

Zona fasciculata

It secretes the Glucocorticoids

The most important are cortisol
and corticosterone
Found mainly bound to plasma
globulin, transcortin
They are regulated by pituitary
ACTH
It is converted in the liver to
inactive cortisone

CORTISOL

Control of cortisol

RELEASE OF
GLUCOCORTICOIDS IS
CONTROLLED BY
______

LETS LOOK AT ACTH

(adrenocorticotropic
Hormone)

Produced in anterior pituitary gland

ACTH

Circulating levels of
cortisol

levels cause stimulation of ACTH

levels cause dec. release of ACTH

think tank: What type of feedback

mechanism is this??

AFFECTED BY:

Individual biorhythms
ACTH LEVELS ARE HIGHEST 2 HOURS
BEFORE AND JUST AFTER AWAKENING.
usually 5AM - 7AM
these gradually decrease rest of day

Stresssecretion

cortisol production and

Actions of Glucocorticoids

Increases blood glucose by stimulating

gluconeogenesis which leads to glycogenesis and
inhibiting action of insulin on glucose uptake
Inhibits amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in
extrahepatic tissues (catabolism), while stimulating
these processes in the liver (anabolism).
Stimulates lipolysis in adipose tissue releasing FFA
Water excretion due to the inhibitory effect of cortisol
on ADH
Inhibits inflammatory and allergic reactions by
Inhibiting immune response due to the destruction of
lymphoid tissue resulting in decreased production of
antibody, lymphocytes, basophils, and easinophils.

SUGAR

GLUCOCORTICOIDS (regulate
metabolism & are critical in stress
response)
CORTISOL responsible for control and
& metabolism of:
a. CHO (carbohydrates)

amt. glucose formed

amt. glucose released

CORTISOL
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

SUGAR
Other

fxs of Cortisol

inflammatory and allergic

response

immune system therefore

prone to infection

REGULATION OF CORTISOL
SECRETION
HYPOTHALAMUS

STRESS
+

CRH

DIURNAL
RHYTHM

ANTERIOR PITUITARY
INCREASED
BLOOD GLUCOSE
BLOOD AA
BLOOD FATTY ACIDS

ACTH

ADRENAL CORTEX
CORTISOL
TARGET ORGANS

Zona Glomerulosa

It secretes the
mineralocorticoids, mainly
aldosterone
The main mineralocorticoid
in humans is aldosterone
It is found bound to albumin
in the blood
It regulates Na balance and
blood pressure

ALDOSTERONE

Control of Aldosterone
By the renin-angiotensin system:
1.In response to drop in blood pressure
2.Decreased osmolality

Structure of Nephron

ss
u
l
uulu
r
eer s
m
lolomatutus
g
tatag paar ra
x
JJuux aappp

Glomerulus
Loop Of Henle
Collecting Duct

C
O
R
T
E
X
M
E
D
U
L
L
A

Structure of Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

Distal

1.
2.

Juxtaglomerular
apparatus is
composed of:
Juxtaglomerular
cells
Macula densa
cells

Convoluted
Tubule

Adrenal gland
Adrenal cortex
Zona glomerulosa

Aldo
stero
ne

Na

ACE
Angiotensin I

Renin
Angiotensinogen
Liver

Kidney

Blood

K/
H

Juxtaglomerular
Distal tubules
cells

Angiotensin II

Actions of Aldosterone
Stimulates sodium reabsorption in the
kidneys
Stimulates the excretion of
potassium and hydrogen ions
Indirectly increases blood pressure

SALT

Mineralocorticoids (F & E balance)

Aldosterone (renin from kidneys controls
adrenal cortex production of aldosterone)
Na retention
Water retention
K excretion

Question:
If your Na level is low, will
aldosterone secretion
or
If your serum K+ level is high, will
aldosterone secretion
or

Renin-Angiotensin System:
renal blood flow &/or
Na+
++ Juxtaglomerular apparatus of
kidneys
(considered volume receptors)
Renin
Angiotensinog
en

Angiotensi
nI
(Lungs)

Angiotensin III
(powerful
vasoconstrictor)

Converting
enzymes

Angiotensin II
(powerful
vasoconstrictor)
Adrenal
cortex

Corticostero
Aldosteron
ne
e
N.B. Aldosterone is the main regulator of Na+ retention.

Figure 6.12b

Zona reticularis
It is the innermost layer of the adrenal
cortex
It is relatively inactive and physiologically
unimportant
It secretes androgens
In the female, they may contribute to the
pubertal and postmenopausal changes

SEX

ANDROGENS
hormones which
characteristics
release

male

of testosterone

Seen more in women than men

Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex

Figure 9.10
Copyright2003PearsonEducation,Inc.publishingasBenjaminCummings

Slide 9.28b

ADRENAL MEDULLA

ADRENAL MEDULLA
Fight or flight
What is released by the adrenal
medulla?

Anatomy and Origin

embryologically derived from
pheochromoblasts

differentiate into modified neuronal cells

more gland than nerve
chromaffin cells

acts like sympathetic ganglion

Function of the Adrenal Medulla

an extension of the sympathetic nervous
system

acts as a peripheral amplifier

activated by same stimuli as the

sympathetic nervous system

(examples exercise, cold, stress,

hemorrhage, etc.)

Catecholamine Synthesis
tyrosine
tyrosine hydroxylase

dihydroxyphenylalanine
L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase

dopamine
dopamine--hydroxylase

norepinephrine
phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase

epinephrine

CATECHOLAMINE
RELEASE
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine

Mechanism of Action

receptor mediated adrenergic receptors

peripheral effects are dependent upon the

type and ratio of receptors in target tissues

Receptor

Norepinephrin +++++
e
Epinephrine
++++

++
++++

Relative effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine on and adrenergic receptors.

Guyton

ADRENAL MEDULLA

It secretes the catecholamines, adrenaline

(80%) and noradrenaline (20%)
They are called the fight or flight hormones or
the 3Fs (fear, flight, flight)
Opioid peptides are also synthesized and co
secreted with the hormones
They are released in response to stimulation by
acetylcholine from the preganglionic sympathetic
nerve endings

Actions of Adrenal medullary hormones

Increase blood glucose by:

1. Promote glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
in the liver
2. Inhibit secretion of insulin
Stimulate lipolysis with resultant increase in FFA
Increase heart rate contraction and cause
branchodilatation
Increase constriction of visceral blood vessels
and vasodilatation of skeletal muscles
Decrease function of visceral organs
Increase the basal metabolic rate and total
oxygen consumption (calorigenic)