Right adrenal cortex

Cortex glandulae suprarenalis

Endocrine & glandsGlandsAbdomenRight side

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What it is

The thick yellow outer layer of the adrenal, about nine-tenths of the gland by weight. It has three zones from outside in: glomerulosa, fasciculata and reticularis, each making a different class of steroid from cholesterol.

Function

Aldosterone (zona glomerulosa), cortisol (zona fasciculata) and DHEA/androgens (zona reticularis).

Size

1–2 mm thick shell around the medulla

Clinical note

Too much cortisol (Cushing's syndrome) gives a moon face, central obesity, thin skin and diabetes; too much aldosterone (Conn's syndrome) is a common curable cause of high blood pressure.