adrenal gland

noun, Anatomy

one of a pair of ductless glands, located above the kidneys, consisting of a cortex, which produces steroidal hormones, and a medulla, which produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Also called suprarenal gland.

Origin

1870-75

Examples from the web for adrenal gland

Too little sleep also leads to increased levels cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland under stress.
He died five years ago from an inoperable tumor on his adrenal gland.
People with primary hyperaldosteronism have a problem with the adrenal gland that causes it to release too much aldosterone.
Rarely, this kind of tumor occurs outside the adrenal gland, usually somewhere else in the abdomen.

British Dictionary definitions for adrenal gland

adrenal gland

noun

an endocrine gland at the anterior end of each kidney. Its medulla secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline and its cortex secretes several steroid hormones Also called suprarenal gland

adrenal gland in Medicine

adrenal gland n.
Either of two small, dissimilarly shaped endocrine glands, one located above each kidney, consisting of the cortex, which secretes several steroid hormones, and the medulla, which secretes epinephrine. Also called epinephros, paranephros, suprarenal gland.

adrenal gland in Science

adrenal gland

(ə-drē'nəl)

Either of two small endocrine glands, one located above each kidney. The outer portion, or cortex, secretes steroid hormones (corticosteroids). The inner portion, or medulla, secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.