The adrenal medulla, the inner part of an adrenal gland, controls hormones that initiate the flight or fight response. Epinephrine (Adrenaline) and Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) However, estrogens and androgens are produced in much larger amounts by the ovaries and testes. They are precursor hormones that are converted in the ovaries into female hormones (estrogens) and in the testes into male hormones (androgens). These hormones produced by the zona reticularis are weak male hormones. This means that aldosterone also helps regulate the blood pH by controlling the levels of electrolytes in the blood. Aldosterone sends signals to the kidneys, resulting in the kidneys absorbing more sodium into the bloodstream and releasing potassium into the urine. This mineralocorticoid hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa plays a central role in regulating blood pressure and certain electrolytes (sodium and potassium). This is referred to as a negative feedback loop.Įxcess cortisol production can occur from nodules in the adrenal gland or excess production of ACTH from a tumor in the pituitary gland or other source.

If there is too much or too little cortisol, these glands respectively change the amount of CRH and ACTH that gets released. Normally, both the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland can sense whether the blood has the appropriate amount of cortisol circulating.

The hypothalamus produces corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) that stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH).ĪCTH then stimulates the adrenal glands to make and release cortisol hormones into the blood. As an example, for the adrenal gland to produce cortisol, the following occurs: This is referred to as the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. How Adrenal Glands Work to Produce CortisolĪdrenal glands produce hormones in response to signals from the pituitary gland in the brain, which reacts to signaling from the hypothalamus, also located in the brain. It is released during times of stress to help your body get an energy boost and better handle an emergency situation. This hormone also controls the sleep/wake cycle. It helps control the body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates suppresses inflammation regulates blood pressure increases blood sugar and can also decrease bone formation. The key hormones produced by the adrenal cortex include: CortisolĬortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the zona fasciculata that plays several important roles in the body. Both parts of the adrenal glands - the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla - perform distinct and separate functions.Įach zone of the adrenal cortex secretes a specific hormone. Many of these hormones have to do with how the body responds to stress, and some are vital to existence. The role of the adrenal glands in your body is to release certain hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Adrenal gland above kidney