SUPRA RENAL GLANDS

Supra Renal Glands

Morphology Supra renal glands are paired, bean-shaped organs situated on either side of the lumbar region. They are located above the kidneys and hence the name supra renal.

Relations

• The kidneys lie below the supra renal glands.
• The adrenal medulla lies below the adrenal cortex.
• The suprarenal glands are related to the diaphragm, psoas major muscle, and quadratus lumborum muscle.

Functions

• The adrenal cortex secretes mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) which regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body.
• The adrenal cortex also secretes glucocorticoids (cortisol) which regulate metabolism, immune response, and stress response.
• The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) which regulate the sympathetic nervous system.

Blood Supply The adrenal glands receive blood supply from the following arteries:

• Suprarenal arteries
• Superior suprarenal arteries
• Middle suprarenal arteries
• Inferior suprarenal arteries
• The adrenal glands also receive blood supply from the inferior phrenic arteries and the renal arteries.

Applied Anatomy Supra renal glands are often involved in various diseases such as:

• Cushing's syndrome (excessive secretion of cortisol)
• Addison's disease (deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone)
• Pheochromocytoma (excessive secretion of catecholamines)
• Suprarenal glands are also involved in various tumors and metastases.

Diagram

Adrenal Gland | |____ Adrenal Cortex | | | |____ Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) | |____ Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) | |____ Adrenal Medulla | | | |____ Catecholamines (Epinephrine, Norepinephrine)

Flowchart

Supra renal Glands → Adrenal Cortex → Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) → Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) → Adrenal Medulla → Catecholamines (Epinephrine, Norepinephrine)