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suprarenal gland

(SOO-pruh-REE-nul...)
One of a pair of small, triangle-shaped glands on top of each kidney. Each suprarenal gland has two parts: the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the suprarenal gland) and the adrenal medulla (the center of the suprarenal gland). The suprarenal 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 suprarenal glands also make hormones that balance water and salt in the body and are involved in the development of sex characteristics. Also called adrenal gland.
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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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