Adrenal gland and its functions

1. ADRENAL
GLAND
DR.SWATI GAJANAN VEDPATHAK
M.D(2ND YEAR) KRIYA SHARIR
R.A.PODAR AYU MEDICAL COLLEGE,MUMBAI

2. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENDO
AND EXOCRINE GLAND
ENDOCRINE
GLAND
• Secrete their product into
interstitial fluid,hormones diffuse
into blood capillaries and blood
carries them to target cells
throughout the body.
• E.g
pituitary,thyroid,parathyroid,adre
nal,pineal gland
EXOCRINE GLAND
• Secrete their products into ducts
that carry the secretions into
lumen of an organ or outer
surface of body.
• E.g
Sudoriferous(sweat),sebaceous(
oil),mucous and digestive
glands.

3. ADRENAL GLAND
•Paired gland- Supra renal
•Position- Lies superior to each kidney in retro
peritonial space
•Shape- Flattened pyramidal shape.
•Size- Height- 3-5 cm
Width- 2-3 cm
Mass- 3.5-5 gm

5. DURING EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT,IT
DIFFERENTIATE INTO 2 STRUCTURALLY AND
FUNCTIONALLY DISTINCT REGION-
ADRENAL
CORTEX
• Produces steroid hormones that are
essential for life.
• Complete loss of adrenocortical
hormones leads to death due to
dehydration and electrolyte
imbalances in few days to
week,unless hormone replacement
therapy begins promptly.
ADRENAL
MEDULLA
• Produces 3 catecholamines
1.Nor-epinephrine
2.Epinephrine
3.Small amount of dopamine

6. ADRENAL CORTEX DIVIDED INTO - 3
ZONES
ZONA
GLOMERULOSA
 Outer zone
 Just deep to connective
tissue capsule
 Secretes
mineralocorticoid
ZONA
FASCICULATA
 Middle zone-widest
 Secretes
glucocorticoids
ZONA
RETICULARIS
 Synthesize small
amount of weak
androgens

7. 1.MINERALOCORTICOID
S
• Secreted by zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex.
 ALDOSTERONE-
Major Mineralocorticoid.
Regulates homeostasis of 2 mineral ions i.e.Sodium,Potassium.
Helps adjust BP and Blood volume.
Promotes excretion of H+ ions in the urine,this removal of acids from
body can help prevent acidosis.

9. 2.GLUCOCORTICOIDS
• Secreted by Zona fasciculata of adrenal cortex.
• They regulate metabolism and resistance to stress include
cortisol,corticosterone,cortisone.
PROTIEN BREAKDOWN-
Mainly in muscle fibres.Increase liberation of amino acid into blood
stream which may be used by body cell for synthesis of new protein or
for ATP production.

10. GLUCOSE FORMATION- Glucocorticoid
converts amino acid or lactic acid into glucose which may use by
neurons or other cells for ATP productions.
LIPOLYSIS- Breakdown of
triglycerides and release of fatty acids from adipose tissue into blood.
RESISTANCE TO STRESS- Additional
glucose supplied by liver cells provides with ready source of ATP to
combact a range of stresses.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT- They
inhibits WBC that participates in inflammatory responses.Very useful in
T/T of chronic inflammatory disorders such as Rheumatoid arthritis.
DEPRESSION OF IMMUNE RESPONSES-
High dose of it depresses immune response.for this reason,they are
prescribed for organ transplant recipients to retard tissue rejection by
immune system.

11. 3.ANDROGENS
• In both male and female,Adrenal cortex secretes small amount of
weak androgens.
• Major androgen secreted by this gland is
Dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA).
In female,adrenal androgens play imp roles,they promote libido and
are converted into estrogens by other body tissue.
After menopause,when ovarian secretion of estrogen ceases,all
female estrogen comes from adrenal androgens.
Adrenal androgens also stimulate growth of axillary and pubic hair in
boys and girls.and contribute to prepubertal growth spurt.

12. ADRENAL MEDULLA
• 2 Major hormones synthesized- 1.Epinephrine/Adrenaline
2.Nor-Epinephrine/Nor-Adrenaline
They increase output of heart and increase BP, by increasing heart
rate and force of contraction.
They also increase blood flow to heart,liver,skeletal muscle.
Dilate airways to lungs.
Increase blood levels of glucose and fatty acid.

14. THANK YOU..
DR.SWATI VEDPATHAK
9869577694