Adrenal Glands - Simple Definition and Problems

Adrenal glands are star-shaped glands that are situated on top of the kidneys responsible for regulating the body's response to stress. The adrenal glands are normally partially buried in fat and lie beneath the peritoneum. The location of these endocrine glands relative to the kidney and their shape vary among species.

The adrenal glands of mammals have two distinct regions. One region is the inner medulla and the other one is the outer cortex. The inner medulla is a source of catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine. The principal cell type of this region is the chromaffin cell. This inner medulla is innervated richly by preganglionic sympathetic fibers. It is also essentially considered as the sympathetic nervous system's extension.

The outer cortex, adrenal glands' second region secretes glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids and a few other steroid hormones. The use of a Histologic examination to the outer cortex shows that it composes three concentric zones of cells that have differing secreted steroid hormones.

The medulla and the cortex are regarded as two functionally different organs of the endocrine system in spite of their organization into the single adrenal gland. These two have also different embryological origins; the inner medulla is derived from ectoderm, a neural crest, while the outer cortex is derived from the mesoderm. Their use of having them together in a single organ, if there is any, comes unnoticed.

When the adrenal glands are bombarded, chances are you will develop adrenal disorders. Adrenal disorders can trigger your adrenal glands to produce too much or too less hormones. The types of adrenal disorders include the Cushing's syndrome and the Addison's disease. In the Cushing's syndrome, too much cortisol is produced, while in the Addison's disease, there is too little cortisol. Some individuals are congenitally unable to produce adequate amounts of cortisol. Tumors that develop can also cause the development of adrenal disorders. An adrenal gland problem caused by infection and bleeding can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

The two adrenal gland disorders are explained as follows:

Cushing's syndrome is developed if an individual is excessively exposed to cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland. The formation of Cushing's syndrome can be linked to taking synthetic hormone medications to cure an inflammatory disease because some kinds of tumors cause the body to produce too much cortisol. The symptoms of this disorder are: thin arms and legs, upper body obesity, over fatigue and muscle weakness, high blood sugar and blood pressure.

Addison's disease occurs when your hormones to respond to stress and regulate blood pressure are not adequately produced by your adrenal glands. Immune system problems cause Addison's disease; your immune system misguidedly attacks your healthy tissues that lead to damage of your adrenal glands. This adrenal disorder has the following symptoms: muscle weakness, fatigue that is worsened over time, low blood pressure, and weight loss. This disorder can be fatal if untreated.

The treatment of adrenal gland disorders depends on which problem an individual has. Surgery or medications can be of treatment to many adrenal gland disorders.