Adrenal Glands Function - Lesson 302
We are going to learn about adrenal glands function now. Adrenal means above kidneys (ad- above, renal - related to kidneys). The another name of adrenal glands is suprarenal glands. Adrenal glands are endocrine glands as they have ducts. The two glands on the left and right of the kidney have different shapes. The right side adrenal gland is normally triangular in shape and the left side adrenal gland is semilunar in shape. While we are in stress situations, adrenal glands secrete hormones, such as, cortisol, catacholamines, and epinephrine. Function of the kidneys are also affected by the secretion of a hormone named as aldosterone by adrenal glands. Aldosterone controls osmolarity of plasma in blood. Adrenal glands are situated at the retroperitoneal area above kidneys on both sides. Adrenal glands have two different structures. The outer layer of adrenal glandd is adrenal cortex and the inner layer is medulla. Both adrenal cortex and medulla secrete hormones. The adren