Adrenal Gland(s)

The adrenal glands are important endocrine glands in the human body.
Endocrine glands differ from "exocrine" glands in that exocrine glands have ducts (so may be referred to as "ducted") whereas endocrine glands do not have ducts (and so may be referred to as "ductless").

The adrenal glands are also known as "suprarenal glands", "surrenal capsules" and "adrenal capsules". Some of these other names for the adrenal glands refer to their location in the body - which is on top of the kidneys. Each adrenal gland covers the superior surface of a kidney and consists of two parts, the medulla and the cortex. Each of these parts produce and secret a distinct group of hormones as summarised below:

Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex include:

• Corticosteroids
  Including cortisol, aldosterone, oestrogens and androgens.

Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla include:

• Adrenalin
• Noradrenalin

For more information visit the study page about the adrenal glands.

For a diagram indicating the locations within the body of each of the endocrine glands, see Endocrine Glands of the Human Body.

This may be of interest to students of courses in massage, reflexology, beauty therapies, and other first-level therapy or other health-related courses.