What are the adrenal glands and where are they located?

Where are the adrenal glands located?

The adrenal glands are two small, triangle-shaped glands, with one located above each kidney in the upper abdomen. They are also called the suprarenal glands. Despite their small size, they produce hormones that influence many essential body functions. [4] [2]

Each adrenal gland has two main parts: the adrenal cortex on the outside and the adrenal medulla on the inside. Each part has different functions, so diseases affecting a particular part can produce different effects depending on which hormones are affected. [4] [3]

What hormones do they produce?

The adrenal cortex produces important steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, and hormones that can be converted into sex hormones. Cortisol helps regulate the body's response to stress and has roles in blood-glucose regulation and other functions, while aldosterone helps maintain sodium, water, and potassium balance and contributes to blood-pressure regulation. [4] [3]

The adrenal medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones are involved in the body's rapid response to stressful situations and help regulate responses such as heart rate and blood pressure. [4] [3]

Some cortical functions respond to signals from the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. It releases adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH, which stimulates cortisol production. Adrenal dysfunction can therefore result from impaired pituitary signaling as well as damage within the adrenal gland itself. [4]

What happens when the glands do not function normally?

Adrenal disorders can occur when the glands produce too little or too much of their hormones, or when another disease affects the glands. Examples include autoimmune disorders, infections, bleeding, and tumors. Some conditions are temporary, while others require long-term follow-up depending on their cause and their effect on hormone production. [4]

Low levels of adrenal-cortex hormones, as occurs in Addison disease, can cause symptoms related to insufficient cortisol and aldosterone. In contrast, some adrenal tumors can produce excess hormones or create a mass within the gland. Therefore, symptoms or an adrenal mass must be interpreted according to the type of problem and the hormones involved rather than the presence of a mass alone. [2] [3]

Is every adrenal tumor cancer?

No. The adrenal glands can develop different types of tumors, and some are not cancerous. The type of tumor depends partly on where it originates; adrenocortical carcinoma develops from the cortex, while other tumors such as pheochromocytoma arise from the medulla. An adrenal mass therefore requires medical evaluation to determine its nature and whether it produces hormones, potentially including hormone testing and appropriate imaging depending on the situation. [2] [3]

For further reading: Adrenal Gland Cancer: Diagnosis, Types, and Treatment article (Arabic article).

Medical references

• Adrenal Gland Cancer
• What Is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?
• Adrenal glands: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia