The adrenal cortex can be divided into 3 zones.
Zona glomerulosa secretes aldosterone.
Intermediate layer Zona fasiculata forms the greater part of the cortex and is probably a non-secreting zone of reserve cells.
Zona reticularis secretes cortisol.
Cortisol secretion is under the control of ACTH. The circadian rhythm is maintained by pituitary ACTH secretion and mediated by corticotrophin releasing factor secretion from median eminence of the hypothalmus.
The cortex is mesodermal origin and the medulla is ectodermal.
ReplyDeleteThe average weight of adult gland is 4gram.
Each gland is supplied by 3 separated arteries but drained by a single vein.