anotemy
Sign in
Try it free
Adrenal gland — Anatomy Notes, Diagram & Quiz
The Adrenal gland is located in the above kidneys. Produces steroid hormones and catecholamines. The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally.
Key facts
| Location | Above kidneys |
|---|---|
| Main function | Produces steroid hormones and catecholamines. |
| Layer | organs |
| Key fact 1 | The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally. |
| Key fact 2 | The Adrenal gland secretes cortisol and aldosterone from its cortex, and adrenaline from its medulla. |
| Key fact 3 | The Adrenal gland is essential for the stress response, as its hormones regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function. |
Where is the Adrenal gland located?
The Adrenal gland is located in the above kidneys.
The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally.
What does the Adrenal gland do?
Produces steroid hormones and catecholamines.
The Adrenal gland secretes cortisol and aldosterone from its cortex, and adrenaline from its medulla.
What to know for exams
- The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally.
- The Adrenal gland secretes cortisol and aldosterone from its cortex, and adrenaline from its medulla.
- The Adrenal gland is essential for the stress response, as its hormones regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function.
It belongs to the organs layer. Learn its location, relations, and the structures it works with.
Clinical relevance
The Adrenal gland is essential for the stress response, as its hormones regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function.
Link the adrenal gland to its blood supply, innervation and relations. That is how exam questions usually test it.
Memory aid: Adrenal gland
The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally. The Adrenal gland secretes cortisol and aldosterone from its cortex, and adrenaline from its medulla. The Adrenal gland is essential for the stress response, as its hormones regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function.
Chain it as location → function → clinical link when you revise.
Adrenal gland anatomy quiz
Five questions. Open each answer after you commit to a response.
-
Where is the Adrenal gland located?
Reveal answer
Above kidneys
-
What is the main function of the Adrenal gland?
Reveal answer
Produces steroid hormones and catecholamines.
-
Give one key fact about the Adrenal gland.
Reveal answer
The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally.
-
Give another key fact about the Adrenal gland.
Reveal answer
The Adrenal gland secretes cortisol and aldosterone from its cortex, and adrenaline from its medulla.
-
What clinical link is associated with the Adrenal gland?
Reveal answer
The Adrenal gland is essential for the stress response, as its hormones regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function.
Common questions
Where is the Adrenal gland located?
The Adrenal gland is located in the above kidneys. The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally.
What does the Adrenal gland do?
Produces steroid hormones and catecholamines. The Adrenal gland secretes cortisol and aldosterone from its cortex, and adrenaline from its medulla.
What is a key fact about the Adrenal gland?
The Adrenal gland is essential for the stress response, as its hormones regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function.
What layer does the Adrenal gland belong to?
It belongs to the organs layer of the body.
What should I remember for exams?
The Adrenal gland is situated on the superior pole of each kidney, retroperitoneally. The Adrenal gland secretes cortisol and aldosterone from its cortex, and adrenaline from its medulla. The Adrenal gland is essential for the stress response, as its hormones regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function.
Sources
- Standring, S. (ed.). Gray’s Anatomy, 42nd edition. Elsevier, 2020.
- TeachMeAnatomy — anatomy library
- Kenhub — anatomy library
- StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf — Adrenal gland search
3D atlas and image credits
Anatomy models: BodyParts3D, © Database Center for Life Science (DBCLS), CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan. Écorché by Charleeh, derived from BodyParts3D and Z-Anatomy, CC BY-SA 4.0. Rendered in anotemy. Changes: highlighting, framing, labels and background removal. Images: CC BY-SA 4.0.
The 3D models are third-party assets under Creative Commons share-alike licences. They keep those licences; the page text is separate. If you reuse an image, keep the attribution and the share-alike licence.