Gland
Adrenal (suprarenal) gland
Two endocrine tissues beside the upper kidney
High-yield
Arterial inflow usually comes from three named source groups, but there may be many small branches. The principal right vein usually enters the cava; the left usually enters the left renal vein.
Overview
Each adrenal gland lies superomedial to a kidney in retroperitoneal tissue, with a fascial partition helping separate the organs. The right is commonly pyramidal and the left crescentic. Steroid-producing cortex surrounds catecholamine-producing medulla, which has a different developmental origin.
Reference facts
- Location
- Retroperitoneal near the upper renal poles; right gland relates to cava and liver, while left gland lies behind the stomach/lesser-sac region and near the pancreas.
- Hormones
- Cortical steroids include aldosterone, cortisol and androgen precursors; medullary chromaffin cells release epinephrine and norepinephrine.
- Blood supply
- Superior branches usually arise from inferior phrenic arteries, middle branches from aorta and inferior branches from renal arteries, with common variations.
- Innervation
- Preganglionic sympathetic fibers reach medullary chromaffin cells through splanchnic and celiac-region pathways; cortical regulation is predominantly hormonal.
- Function
- Regulates electrolyte and volume balance, metabolism and stress adaptation, with rapid circulating catecholamine responses.
Clinical correlation
The short, variable right adrenal venous connection can make selective sampling difficult. Adrenal masses may involve nearby great vessels. Separate fascial attachments mean kidney and adrenal gland need not move together.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the adrenal (suprarenal) gland located?
Retroperitoneal near the upper renal poles; right gland relates to cava and liver, while left gland lies behind the stomach/lesser-sac region and near the pancreas.
What does the adrenal (suprarenal) gland secrete?
Cortical steroids include aldosterone, cortisol and androgen precursors; medullary chromaffin cells release epinephrine and norepinephrine.
What does the adrenal (suprarenal) gland do?
Regulates electrolyte and volume balance, metabolism and stress adaptation, with rapid circulating catecholamine responses.
What is the blood supply of the adrenal (suprarenal) gland?
Superior branches usually arise from inferior phrenic arteries, middle branches from aorta and inferior branches from renal arteries, with common variations.