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adrenal gland
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adrenal gland Article

adrenal gland summary

Learn about the structure and function of the adrenal gland and the diseases associated with it

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Below is the article summary. For the full article, see adrenal gland.
human adrenal gland
human adrenal gland

adrenal gland, or suprarenal gland, Either of two small triangular endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys. In humans, each gland weighs about 0.18 oz (5 g) and consists of an inner medulla, which produces the catecholamine hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, and an outer cortex (about 90% of the gland), which secretes the steroid hormones aldosterone, cortisol, and androgens (the last two in response to ACTH from the pituitary gland). Diseases of the adrenal glands include pheochromocytoma (a tumour of the medulla) and the cortical disorders Addison disease, adrenal hypertrophy, Cushing syndrome, and primary aldosteronism.