Adrenal gland
In humans, the adrenal glands are two endocrine glands on the anterior aspects of the superior portions of both kidneys, each weighing 4 grams. In mammals, an adrenal gland consists of two main parts: the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.
Though the adrenal gland is organized as a single endocrine gland in mammals, the medulla and cortex are of different embryological origin, the medulla developing from ectoderm while the cortex develops from mesoderm. In amphibians and in some fish, the medulla and cortex are two separate organs.
The adrenal medulla is part of the sympathetic nervous system and the main source of the catecholamine hormone epinephrine in the blood stream. The adrenal cortex belongs to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and is the only source of the main corticosteroid hormone cortisol. The cortex is also involved in the Renin-angiotensin system by producing aldosterone.
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Diabetes dictionary | Endocrine gland | Human anatomy | Human body
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