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adrenal gland

(uh-DREE-nul...)
One of a pair of small, triangle-shaped glands on top of each kidney. Each adrenal gland has two parts: the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland) and the adrenal medulla (the center of the adrenal gland). The adrenal glands make steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. These hormones help control many important body functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism, and the way the body reacts to stress. The adrenal glands also make hormones that balance water and salt in the body and are involved in the development of sex characteristics. Also called suprarenal gland.
More Information
Anatomy of the adrenal gland; drawing of the abdomen showing the left and right adrenal glands, the left and right kidneys, and major blood vessels. Also shown is an inset of an adrenal gland showing the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.Enlarge this image in new window
Anatomy of the adrenal gland. There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. The outer part of each gland is the adrenal cortex and the inner part is the adrenal medulla.
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