Adrenal gland

Adrenal gland
One of a pair of small glands, each of which sits on top of one of the kidneys. The adrenal is made up of an outer wall (the cortex) and an inner portion (the medulla). The adrenal glands produce hormones that help control the heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions. The adrenal cortex secretes steroid (cortisone-related) hormones and mineralocortoids that regulate the levels of minerals such as sodium and potassium in the blood. The adrenal medulla makes adrenaline (adrenaline) and noradrenaline (noradrenaline). Adrenaline is secreted in response to low blood levels of glucose as well as exercise and stress; it causes the breakdown of the storage product glycogen to the sugar glucose in the liver, facilitates the release of fatty acids from adipose (fat) tissue, causes dilation (widening) of the small arteries within muscle and increases the output of the heart. Noradrenaline is a neurohormone, a neurotransmitter, for of most of the so-called sympathetic nervous system. The name "adrenal" comes from the Latin "ad-", toward + "rebes", kidney. It refers to the perch of this gland atop the kidney. The adrenals are also called the suprarenal glands, "supra-" in Latin meaning "on top."

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adrenal gland n either of a pair of complex endocrine organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal medulla that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine called also adrenal, suprarenal gland

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glandula suprarenalis.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • adrenal gland — UK [əˈdriːn(ə)l ˌɡlænd] / US [əˈdrɪn(ə)l ˌɡlænd] noun [countable] Word forms adrenal gland : singular adrenal gland plural adrenal glands medical one of two small organs above your kidneys that produce adrenalin …   English dictionary

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  • adrenal gland — noun either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney • Syn: ↑adrenal, ↑suprarenal gland • Derivationally related forms: ↑adrenal (for: ↑adrenal) • Hypernyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • adrenal gland — A small gland that makes steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. These hormones help control heart rate, blood pressure, and other important body functions. There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. Also called suprarenal… …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • adrenal gland — noun Date: 1875 either of a pair of complex endocrine organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal medulla that… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • adrenal gland — absent in fishes but said to be present in sculpins (Cottidae). Interrenal cells associated with major blood vessels in the anterior kidney represent adrenal cortical tissue in fishes. Adrenal medullary cells are associated with sympathetic… …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • adrenal gland — /əˈdrinəl glænd/ (say uh dreenuhl gland) noun → suprarenal gland …  

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