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Adrenal glands

• Overview

Definition:

Adrenal glands are triangle-shaped glands located on top of the kidneys. They produce hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, steroids, cortisol, and cortisone, and chemicals such as adrenalin ( epinephrine )and norepinephrine .

When the glands produce more or less hormones than needed by the body, you can become sick.

Information:

Related topics:

• Addison's disease
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Cushing syndrome
• Hirsutism
• Hump behind shoulders
• Hypoglycemia
• Primary aldosteronism
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

References:

Parker KL, Rainey WE. The adrenal glands. In: Griffin JE, Ojeda SR. Textbook of Endocrine Physiology. New York: Oxford University Press; 2004:319-348.

• Review Date: 4/26/2007
• Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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