Word parts
What it means
The adrenal medulla is part of the body's stress ("fight or flight") response. When the sympathetic nerves signal it, it releases 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 into the blood, which speed the heart, raise the blood pressure and blood glucose and open the airways. A rare tumor here, pheochromocytoma, releases these hormones in bursts.
At a glance
| Spanish | médula suprarrenal |
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Related terms
epinephrine
A hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.
autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
norepinephrine
A hormone and nerve messenger that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure, also given as an IV drug.
adrenal
Having to do with the adrenal glands, the two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys.