Adrenal medulla

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Medulla glandulae suprarenalis)

Adrenal Medulla

The adrenal medulla is the inner part of the adrenal gland, a small gland that sits on top of the kidney. It is responsible for the production of certain hormones, most notably epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline), which play a crucial role in the body's fight-or-flight response.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The adrenal medulla is surrounded by the adrenal cortex, the outer part of the adrenal gland. It is composed of chromaffin cells, which are large, irregularly shaped cells that are packed with granules containing epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the adrenal medulla is to produce and secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are released into the bloodstream in response to stress or danger, triggering a series of physiological changes that prepare the body for action. This includes increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels, as well as dilating the airways to improve oxygen supply to the muscles.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Diseases of the adrenal medulla are relatively rare but can be serious. They include pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor that can cause high blood pressure, and neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that often starts in the adrenal glands and primarily affects children.

See also[edit | edit source]


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD