Skip to practical collection
MEDIVEERSETHE PRACTICAL HUB
Back to AnatomyBDS / Histology · 25 / 32
HISTOLOGY / REFERENCE GALLERY1 / 1 reference
This diagram shows the left adrenal gland located atop the left kidney. The gland is composed of an outer cortex and an inner medulla all surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. The cortex can be subdivided into additional zones, all of which produce different types of hormones. The outermost layer is the zona glomerulosa, which releases mineralcorticoids, such as aldosterone, that regulate mineral balance. Underneath this layer is the zona fasciculate, which releases glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, corticosterone and cortisone, that regulate glucose metabolism. Underneath this layer is the zona reticularis, which releases androgens, such as dehydroepiandrosterone, that stimulate masculinization. Below this layer is the adrenal medulla, which releases stress hormones, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, that stimulate the symphathetic ANS.
100%
1
Zona glomerulosa

Locate zona glomerulosa on this anatomical reference. Read the original plate labels to confirm the view and adjacent structures.

Zoom in, then drag to inspect. Keyboard: + / − to zoom, arrows to pan, 0 to reset. Tap the numbered markers to explore parts.

This diagram shows the left adrenal gland located atop the left kidney. The gland is composed of an outer cortex and an inner medulla all surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. The cortex can be subdivided into additional zones, all of which produce different types of hormones. The outermost layer is the zona glomerulosa, which releases mineralcorticoids, such as aldosterone, that regulate mineral balance. Underneath this layer is the zona fasciculate, which releases glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, corticosterone and cortisone, that regulate glucose metabolism. Underneath this layer is the zona reticularis, which releases androgens, such as dehydroepiandrosterone, that stimulate masculinization. Below this layer is the adrenal medulla, which releases stress hormones, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, that stimulate the symphathetic ANS.

Image: OpenStax / University of Hawaiʻi adapted teaching figures; original contributors credited at source · Source / original · CC BY 4.0 — figure credits at source

Numbered markers and focused views are Mediveerse learning overlays; the original reference is linked above.

Adrenal gland

Endocrine organs

Adrenal gland

STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

Understand what you see.

Cortex makes steroid hormones; medullary chromaffin cells secrete catecholamines.

Zoom into the original labels. Practise pointing out each structure, then explain it aloud. Diagrams are teaching references; specimen appearance and slide staining vary.

01 / IDENTIFICATION

How to recognise it.

  1. Outer cortex and inner medulla
  2. Cortex has three zones
  3. Capsule surrounds gland
02 / KEY STRUCTURES

Point them out.

Tap a number to open its reference, zoom in and locate the structure. Numbers stay the same across views. This key follows landmarks visible in the reference images.

Related features & study points (1)

Additional relations, attachments or microscopic details to revise alongside this plate. These are separate from its numbered image landmarks.

  • Zona reticularis and medulla
03 / VIVA PRACTICE

Think first. Then reveal.

Say your answer aloud before opening the suggested response.

01How do you identify adrenal gland?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Outer cortex and inner medulla. Cortex has three zones. Capsule surrounds gland.

02Order the cortical zones from outside inward.
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Glomerulosa, fasciculata, reticularis.

03What is the embryological contrast?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Cortex develops from mesoderm; medullary chromaffin lineage is neural-crest derived.

04Which structures should you point out on this reference?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Zona glomerulosa; Zona fasciculata; Zona reticularis and medulla. Cortex makes steroid hormones; medullary chromaffin cells secrete catecholamines.

Read the references.

Credited anatomical plates, microscopy and university teaching references. Individual image credits appear below the viewer. Historical plates can use older terminology; use the lesson text for current names.