The action of cortisol helps the body during stressful situations and helps maintain the proper glucose concentration in the blood between meals. It causes adipose tissue to break down fat into fatty acids and causes the breakdown of protein into amino acids. Cortisol stimulates the liver to synthesize glucose from circulating amino acids. The middle layer of the adrenal cortex secretes cortisol, which is a 'glucocorticoid hormone'. The most important of these hormones is aldosterone, which regulates sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion by the kidneys. The outer layer of the adrenal cortex secretes a group of hormones called 'mineralocorticoid hormones' because they regulate the concentration of mineral electrolytes.

Its cells are organized into three layers of cells, forming an inner, a middle, and an outer region of the cortex. The adrenal cortex makes up the bulk of the adrenal gland. This diagram shows the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) on different organs of body :

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are commonly referred to as the fight-or-flight hormones because they get the body prepared for stressful situations that require vigorous physical activity.

The adrenal medulla produces large amounts of the hormone adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, and small amounts of norepinephrine or noradrenaline. These two act like two separate endocrine glands. Here is a diagram showing the location of adrenal glands on top of each kidney :Īdrenal gland has two parts, anatomically : adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla.

Adrenal gland location