Word parts
What it means
Each adrenal gland has two parts. The outer layer (cortex) makes cortisolKOR-tih-solA steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.Full entry , which helps the body handle stress and controls blood sugar; aldosterone, which keeps sodium and water in the body; and small amounts of sex hormones. The inner part (medulla) makes epinephrineep-ih-NEF-rinA hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.Full entry and norepinephrinenor-ep-ih-NEF-rinA hormone and nerve messenger that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure, also given as an IV drug.Full entry , the fight-or-flight hormones. Too little hormone is Addison diseaseAD-ih-sun dih-ZEEZA condition in which the adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol and often not enough aldosterone.Full entry ; too much cortisol is Cushing syndromeKUSH-ing SIN-drohmA condition caused by too much cortisol in the body over a long time.Full entry .
At a glance
| Spanish | glándula suprarrenal |
|---|---|
| Also written | adrenal glands |
Related terms
epinephrine
A hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.
endocrine
Relating to the glands that release hormones straight into the blood, or to those hormones.
Cushing syndrome
A condition caused by too much cortisol in the body over a long time.
Addison disease
A condition in which the adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol and often not enough aldosterone.