Suprarenal gland
Suprarenal gland (also known as the adrenal gland) is a small, triangular-shaped gland located on top of the kidney. They are part of the body's endocrine system, and are responsible for producing hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, and other essential functions.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The suprarenal gland is divided into two distinct parts: the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex is the outer part of the gland, and it produces hormones that are vital to life, such as cortisol (which helps regulate metabolism and helps your body respond to stress) and aldosterone (which helps control blood pressure). The adrenal medulla is the inner part of the gland, and it produces nonessential (that is, you don't need them to live) hormones, such as adrenaline (which helps your body react to stress).
Function[edit | edit source]
The suprarenal glands produce a variety of hormones that help regulate the body's functions. These include:
- Cortisol: This hormone helps regulate the body's metabolism, and it also helps the body respond to stress.
- Aldosterone: This hormone helps control blood pressure by maintaining the balance of salt and water in the body.
- Adrenaline: This hormone helps the body respond to stress by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism.
Diseases and disorders[edit | edit source]
There are several diseases and disorders that can affect the suprarenal glands. These include:
- Addison's disease: This is a disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones. Symptoms can include fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
- Cushing's syndrome: This is a disorder in which the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. Symptoms can include weight gain, thinning skin, and high blood pressure.
- Adrenal cancer: This is a rare form of cancer that begins in the adrenal glands. Symptoms can include pain, weight loss, and changes in hormone levels.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Suprarenal gland Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
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 |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
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
