Structure:
The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, are made up of a cortex
with three distinct parts, and a medulla. Both parts act as a separate
endocrine gland. The cortical zones are the glomerulosa,
the fascicularis, and the reticularis.
The glomerulosa is stimulated by angiotensin II,fascicularis and the reticularis
are stimulated by ACTH, and the medulla, by the sympathetic nervous system.
Function:
The glomerulosa secretes mineralocorticoids, the main one, aldosterone;
the fasciculata secretes glucocorticoid hormones, the main one in humans
is cortisol, and corticosterone in other species, and the reticularis secretes
androgen hormones, the main one dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate.
