01 / Location & anatomical relationships
One above each kidney.
02 / Structure & organization
The cortex has zones that produce mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and androgens. The medulla contains chromaffin cells that release catecholamines. These regions have distinct tissue organization and regulatory inputs.
03 / Function
They make hormones that help with stress responses and salt balance.
04 / Mechanism
An outer cortex and inner medulla make different hormones. These help regulate salt balance, energy use and responses to stress. Adrenaline can help prepare the body for rapid action, alongside signals from the nervous system.
Working together: endocrine system
Hormones travel in the blood to their target cells. Different hormones help guide growth, energy use and changes during puberty.
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Connect structure with function
Aldosterone participates in salt balance, while cortisol affects metabolism and stress responses. Adrenal function is therefore broader than a single adrenaline release mechanism.
Check your understanding
Locate the adrenal glands in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.