Adrenal Gland Structure, Hormones, and Disorders

Adrenal gland location and gross anatomy

The adrenal glands (suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands located in the retroperitoneum above the kidneys, slightly medial and just below the diaphragm. Each gland is surrounded by a fatty capsule and lies within the renal fascia, with a weak connective-tissue septum separating it from the kidney. In humans, the right adrenal gland is typically pyramidal while the left is semilunar/crescent-shaped and somewhat larger. Grossly, each gland is about 5 cm long, 3 cm wide, and up to 1 cm thick, with a combined adult weight of roughly 7–10 g, and has a yellowish appearance. Gross anatomy includes two main parts: the outer adrenal cortex and the inner medulla. The cortex is the largest portion and is divided into three zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis. The medulla lies centrally and is surrounded by the cortex. The adrenal glands have a rich blood supply (many small arteries entering each gland) and are drained by suprarenal veins, with a central adrenomedullary vein in the medulla that has distinctive smooth-muscle organization. Variations can include absent or fused glands and unusual cortical development or location.

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Adrenal cortex zones and their roles

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