The highest overall rates of adrenal insufficiency for males and females were among non-Hispanic white service members. 1 for adrenal insufficiency to 5.5 for androgenital disorders and Cushing's syndrome. Crude overall rates of adrenal gland disorders among females tended to be higher than those of males, with female:male rate ratios ranging from 2. In both sexes, overall rates of other disorders of adrenal gland and Cushing's syndrome were lower than for adrenal insufficiency but higher than for hyperaldosteronism, adrenogenital disorders, and adrenomedullary hyperfunction. Adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed among 267 females (crude overall incidence rate: 8.2 cases per 100,000 person-years ) and 729 males (3.9 per 100,000 p-yrs). Medullary arteries and arterioles penetrate the cortex without branching, then form capillary beds in the medulla.īlood from both cortical and medullary veins empties through a single large central vein, which leaves the adrenal and anastomoses with either the vena cava or renal vein.Medical Surveillance Monthly Report Abstractĭuring 2002–2017, the most common incident adrenal gland disorder among male and female service members was adrenal insufficiency and the least common was adrenomedullary hyperfunction.Cortical arteries and arterioles branch into capillary beds within the cortex to supply that area, then coalesce into veins at the corticomedullary junction.Numerous small arteries from several sources ramify over the surface of the gland and penetrate into the gland into two ways: Histologic examination of the adrenal reveals a rich vasculature. cells in the fasiculata produce a small amount of androgens and cells in the reticularis secrete some cortisol).Ĭatecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) There is some overlap in hormones synthesized by the zonae fasiculata and reticularis (i.e. The medulla produces catecholamines and the cortex produces several steroid hormones, as depicted in the table below. The three cortical zones and part of the medulla are evident in the section of rabbit adrenal gland seen below.Ī higher magnification montage of a feline adrenal gland is available.īased on embryologic origin and type of hormones produced, the cortex and medulla are best though of as separate endocrine organs. zona glomerulosa - thin, outermost zone.The medulla is fairly homogeneous, but even when viewed a low power, three concentric zones can be distinguished in the cortex: The most distinctive feature of the adrenal is its partitioning into cortex and medulla. The organ is richly vascularized and capsular blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics penetrate along with the connective tissue septae.

The adrenal gland is encased in a connective tissue capsule that extends septae into the substance of the gland. Endocrine System > Adrenal Glands Overview of Adrenal Histology

Definition of adrenal gland