Adrenal cortex
Layers of cortex.
Latin	cortex glandulae suprarenalis
Gray's	subject #277 1278
Precursor	mesoderm[1]
Dorlands/Elsevier	c_57/12261690

Cortical part of the adrenal gland (on the pointer). Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Gray's Anatomy the Respiratory apparatus ( Apparatus Respiratorius Respiratory system Respiratory apparatus Embryology (from Greek grc ἔμβρυον embryon, "unborn embryo" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the development One of the three Germ layers found in the Embryos of Animals more complex than Cnidarians making them Triploblastic. Elsevier, the world's largest Publisher of Medical and Scientific literature, forms part of the Reed Elsevier group

Situated along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, including aldosterone and cortisol respectively. In Mammals the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are the triangle-shaped Endocrine glands that sit on top of the Kidneys their Mineralocorticoids are a class of Steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to Aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance Glucocorticoids (GC are a class of Steroid hormones characterised by an ability to bind with the glucocorticoid receptor ( GR) and trigger similar effects Aldosterone is a hormone that causes the tubules of the kidneys to retain sodium and water Cortisol is a Corticosteroid Hormone produced by the Adrenal gland (in the Zona fasciculata of the Adrenal cortex) It is also a secondary site of androgen synthesis. Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound usually a Steroid Hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine

Layers

The cortex can be divided into three distinct layers of tissue based on their organisation. Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism A useful mnemonic, GFR, relates to the glomerular filtration rate, as used in clinical practice. Renal function, in Nephrology, is an indication of the state of the Kidney and its role in Renal physiology.

Steps of hormone synthesis

• All adrenocortical hormones are synthesised from cholesterol. The zona glomerulosa of the Adrenal gland is the most superficial layer of the adrenal cortex lying directly beneath the adrenal gland's capsule Mineralocorticoids are a class of Steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to Aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance Aldosterone is a hormone that causes the tubules of the kidneys to retain sodium and water Cells of the zona fasciculata sit directly beneath the Zona glomerulosa and are organized in bundles (or Fascicles) Glucocorticoids (GC are a class of Steroid hormones characterised by an ability to bind with the glucocorticoid receptor ( GR) and trigger similar effects Cortisol is a Corticosteroid Hormone produced by the Adrenal gland (in the Zona fasciculata of the Adrenal cortex) The zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the Adrenal cortex, lying deep to the Zona fasciculata and superficial to the Adrenal medulla. Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound usually a Steroid Hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine Dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA) is a natural Steroid Prohormone produced from Cholesterol by the Adrenal glands the Gonads Cholesterol is a Lipid found in the Cell membranes and transported in the Blood plasma of all Animals It is an essential component of mammalian

• Cholesterol is transported into the inner mitochondrial membrane by steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), where it is converted into pregnenolone by the enzyme CYP11A1. Cholesterol is a Lipid found in the Cell membranes and transported in the Blood plasma of all Animals It is an essential component of mammalian The Mitochondrial inner membrane forms internal compartments known as Cristae which allow greater space for the proteins such as Cytochromes to function properly The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, commonly referred to as StAR ( STARD1) is a Transport protein that regulates Cholesterol transfer Pregnenolone is a Steroid hormone involved in the Steroidogenesis of Progesterone, Mineralocorticoids, Glucocorticoids, Androgens Accordingly, production of hormones in all three layers of the adrenal cortex is limited by the transportation of cholesterol into the mitochondria and by its conversion into pregnenolone. In Cell biology, a mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is a membrane-enclosed Organelle found in most eukaryotic cells.

• Pregnenolone can be either dehydrogenated to progesterone, or hydroxylated to 17-alpha-hydroxypregnenolone. Dehydrogenation is a chemical reaction that involves the elimination of Hydrogen (H2 Progesterone is a C-21 Steroid Hormone involved in the Female Menstrual cycle, Pregnancy (supports Gestation Hydroxylation is any chemical process that introduces one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH into a compound (or radical thereby oxidizing it

The steps up to this point occur in many steroid-producing tissues. A steroid is a Terpenoid Lipid characterized by a Carbon skeleton with four fused rings generally arranged in a 6-6-6-5 fashion Subsequent steps, however, only occur in the adrenal cortex:

• Progesterone → (hydroxylation at C21) → Deoxycorticosterone → (two further hydroxylations) → Aldosterone
• Progesterone → (hydroxylation at C17) → 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone → (hydroxylation) → Deoxycortisol → (hydroxylation) → Cortisol

Production

The adrenal cortex produces a number of different corticosteroid hormones:

• Mineralocorticoids: They are produced in the zona glomerulosa. Deoxycorticosterone (DOC is a Steroid hormone produced by the Adrenal gland that possess Mineralocorticoid activity and acts as a precursor Aldosterone is a hormone that causes the tubules of the kidneys to retain sodium and water Cortisol is a Corticosteroid Hormone produced by the Adrenal gland (in the Zona fasciculata of the Adrenal cortex) Corticosteroids are a class of Steroid hormones that are produced in the Adrenal cortex. Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body Mineralocorticoids are a class of Steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to Aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance The zona glomerulosa of the Adrenal gland is the most superficial layer of the adrenal cortex lying directly beneath the adrenal gland's capsule The primary mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Mineralocorticoids are a class of Steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to Aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance Aldosterone is a hormone that causes the tubules of the kidneys to retain sodium and water Its secretion is regulated by the oligopeptide angiotensin II (angiotensin II is regulated by angiotensin I, which in turn is regulated by renin). An oligopeptide (oligo- "few" consists of between two and twelve amino acids Angiotensin causes blood vessels to constrict and drives blood pressure up Angiotensin causes blood vessels to constrict and drives blood pressure up Renin (pronounced "Ree-nin" or "Rē-nin" (ˈriːnɨn also known as Angiotensinogenase, is a circulating Enzyme that participates in the body's Aldosterone is secreted in response to high extracellular potassium levels, low extracellular sodium levels, and low fluid levels and blood volume. In Cell biology, Molecular biology and related fields the word extracellular (or sometimes extracellular space) means "outside the cell Potassium (pəˈtæsiəm is a Chemical element. It has the symbol K (kalium from qalīy Atomic number 19 and Atomic mass 39 Sodium (ˈsoʊdiəm is an element which has the symbol Na( Latin natrium, from Arabic natrun) atomic number 11 atomic mass 22 Aldosterone affects metabolism in different ways:
  • It increases urinary excretion of potassium ions
  • It increases interstitial levels of sodium ions
  • It increases water retention and blood volume

• Glucocorticoids: They are produced in the zona fasciculata. Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life. Urine is a liquid waste product of the body secreted by the Kidneys by a process of filtration from Blood and Excreted through the Urethra. An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge Glucocorticoids (GC are a class of Steroid hormones characterised by an ability to bind with the glucocorticoid receptor ( GR) and trigger similar effects Cells of the zona fasciculata sit directly beneath the Zona glomerulosa and are organized in bundles (or Fascicles) The primary glucocorticoid released by the adrenal gland is cortisol. Cortisol is a Corticosteroid Hormone produced by the Adrenal gland (in the Zona fasciculata of the Adrenal cortex) Its secretion is regulated by the hormone ACTH from the anterior pituitary. Adrenocorticotropic hormone ( ACTH or corticotropin) is a Polypeptide Hormone produced and secreted by the Pituitary gland The anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis, from Greek adeno, "gland" hypo, "under" physis, "growth" Upon binding to its target, cortisol enhances metabolism in several ways:
  • It stimulates the release of amino acids from the body
  • It stimulates lipolysis, the breakdown of fat
  • It stimulates gluconeogenesis, the production of glucose from newly-released amino acids and lipids
  • It increases blood glucose levels in response to stress, by inhibiting glucose uptake into muscle and fat cells
  • It strengthens cardiac muscle contractions
  • It increases water retention
  • It has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects

• Androgens: They are produced in the zona reticularis. Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life. In Chemistry, an amino acid is a Molecule containing both Amine and Carboxyl Functional groups In Biochemistry, this Lipolysis is the breakdown of fat stored in fat cells During this process Free fatty acids are released into the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water Gluconeogenesis (abreviated GNG) is a Metabolic pathway that results in the generation of Glucose from non- Carbohydrate carbon substrates such Glucose (Glc a Monosaccharide (or simple Sugar) also known as grape sugar, is an important Carbohydrate in Biology. Lipids are broadly defined as any fat- Soluble ( lipophilic) naturally-occurring Molecule, such as fats oils waxes cholesterol sterols fat-soluble Muscle (from Latin musculus, diminutive of mus "mouse" is contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the "Adipose" redirects here For the Doctor Who monster see " Partners in Crime " The cardiac muscle is a type of involuntary striated Muscle found in the walls of the Heart. Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound usually a Steroid Hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine The zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the Adrenal cortex, lying deep to the Zona fasciculata and superficial to the Adrenal medulla. The most important androgens include:
  • Testosterone: a hormone with a wide variety of effects, ranging from enhancing muscle mass and stimulation of cell growth to the development of the secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone is a Steroid hormone from the Androgen group In mammals testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the Ovaries The term cell growth is used in two different ways in Biology. Secondary sex characteristics are traits that distinguish the two Sexes of a species but that are not directly part of the Reproductive system.
  • Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): a metabolite of testosterone, and a more potent androgen than testosterone in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors. Dihydrotestosterone ( DHT) (Full name 5α-Dihydrotestosterone, abbreviating to 5α-DHT; INN: androstanolone; commonly called Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life.
  • Androstenedione (Andro): an androgenic steroid produced by the testes, adrenal cortex, and ovaries. Androstenedione (also known as 4-androstenedione) is a 19- Carbon Steroid Hormone produced in the Adrenal glands and the Gonads The testicle (from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis, meaning "witness" virility plural testes) is the male "Ovaria" redirects here This is also a proposed section and a Synonym of Solanum. While androstenediones are converted metabolically to testosterone and other androgens, they are also the parent structure of estrone. Androstenedione (also known as 4-androstenedione) is a 19- Carbon Steroid Hormone produced in the Adrenal glands and the Gonads Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound usually a Steroid Hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine Estrone (also oestrone) is an Estrogenic Hormone secreted by the Ovary.
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): a steroid hormone produced from cholesterol. Dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA) is a natural Steroid Prohormone produced from Cholesterol by the Adrenal glands the Gonads Cholesterol is a Lipid found in the Cell membranes and transported in the Blood plasma of all Animals It is an essential component of mammalian It is the primary precursor of natural estrogens. Estrogens (US otherwise oestrogens or œstrogens) are a group of Steroid compounds named for their importance in the Estrous cycle, DHEA is also called dehydroisoandrosterone or dehydroandrosterone. Dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA) is a natural Steroid Prohormone produced from Cholesterol by the Adrenal glands the Gonads Dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA) is a natural Steroid Prohormone produced from Cholesterol by the Adrenal glands the Gonads

Pathology

• Adrenal insufficiency (e. Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the Adrenal glands located above the Kidneys do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones (chemicals produced by the g. due to Addison's disease)
• Cushing's syndrome
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Conn's syndrome

See also

• Adrenal gland

References

External links

• SUNY Labs 40:04-0203 - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Blood Supply to the Suprarenal Glands"
• Mnemonic at medicalmnemonics.com 180 2201 412
• Histology at BU 14502loa
• Anatomy Atlases - Microscopic Anatomy, plate 15.292 - "Adrenal Gland"
• Adrenal Cortex Medical Notes on rahulgladwin.com