This book describes Adrenal Gland, Functions, Diseases, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
The adrenal glands are endocrine glands that are located at the top of the kidneys.
In humans, the right adrenal gland has a triangular shape while the left adrenal gland has a semilunar shape.
They are mainly accountable for releasing hormones in reaction to stress through the synthesis of corticosteroids such as cortisol and catecholamine such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.
They also release androgens.
The adrenal glands can involve kidney function through the secretion of aldosterone, a hormone secreted in regulating the osmolarity of blood plasma.
1. The cortex forms about 90% of its mass, the remaining center being the adrenal medulla.
In the adult, it can be divided morphologically and functionally into three layers (the glomerulosa, fasciculata and reticularis).
Each layer has a distinct histological appearance and secretes different steroid hormones (aldosterone, cortisol and androgens, respectively).
A fourth or fetal zone is present during development.
2. The inner 10–20% of the gland is the adrenal medulla releasing catecholamines.
These hormones are called adrenaline and noradrenaline;
Life and Death pf Adrenal Gland
My name is Adrenaline Man the Adrenal Gland Cell.
I was named Adrenaline Man by my friends who feel that Adrenaline Man is the most suitable name of a cell from the Adrenal Gland of the human body.
It may be surprising to learn that we adrenal gland cells have a developmental relationship with many others tissues such as breast and prostate gland but this shows the built-in potential of stem cells to grow into a variety of specialized forms.
We adrenal gland cells do not just spring into existence from embryo stem cells.
The path of our development begins in a group of progenitor stem cells that are urged into different directions to become specialized cells of many different tissues and organs including the adrenal gland.
We adrenal glands consist of 2 layers:
1. My medulla which is the central core of the adrenal is dark red in color
2. My cortex which form three quarters of the gland is deep yellow in color due to the high content of cholesterol inside.
The 2 main parts of my adrenal glands have different embryonic origins.
1. My inside core adrenal medulla is derived from neural crest.
2. The mesenchyme surrounding these cells differentiates to form my fetal cortex.
This fetal cortex is later replaced by my adult cortex.
My outside adrenal cortex is derived from mesoderm.
My cortex is further divided into 3 distinct layers each with distinct hormonal functions:
1.zona glomerulosa produces Mineralosteroids such as aldosterone
2.zona fasiculata produces Corticosteroids
3.zona reticularis produces Male and Female hormones
During fetal development my adrenal hormones are involved with the maturation of the lung and other developing systems.
The steroid production of my adrenal cortex is characterized by early transient cortisol biosynthesis followed by its suppressed synthesis until late gestation.
There is also extensive production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its DHEA sulfate which are precursors of placental estrogen by my adrenal cortex during most of gestation.
My adrenal gland goes through cell proliferation and angiogenesis at the gland periphery, cellular migration, hypertrophy and apoptosis.
My medulla cells have neuron-like morphology
There are 2 cell types which secrete epinephrine 80% and norepinephrine 20%.
Without my hormones, my human host cannot live.
Necrosis of my adrenal gland due to infection, injury, surgery, or cancer changes can cause my death.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Adrenal Gland
Chapter 2 Functions
Chapter 3 Life Cycle
Chapter 4 Diseases
Chapter 5 Adrenal Insufficiency
Chapter 6 Cushing Syndrome
Chapter 7 Adrenal Fatigue
Chapter 8 Life and Death Adrenal Cell
Epilogue
