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Another mnemonic is ''"Salt, Sugar, Sex: The deeper you go, the sweeter it gets."'' As one moves layers into the adrenal cortex, compounds that control salt (mineralcorticoids), sugar (glucocorticoids), and sex (weak androgens) are produced.
Another mnemonic is ''"Salt, Sugar, Sex: The deeper you go, the sweeter it gets."'' As one moves layers into the adrenal cortex, compounds that control salt (mineralcorticoids), sugar (glucocorticoids), and sex (weak androgens) are produced.

Another useful aid in remembering the secretions of the adrenal cortex gland is to remember it as the adrenal CARtex, whose hormones are produced by [[General Motors Corporation]], or GMC: [[glucocorticoids]], [[mineralocorticoids]], and the cortical [[sex hormones]].


==Pathology==
==Pathology==

Revision as of 17:44, 14 April 2008

Adrenal cortex
Layers of cortex.
Details
Precursormesoderm[1]
Identifiers
Latincortex glandulae suprarenalis
MeSHD000302
TA98A11.5.00.007
A13.2.03.005
TA23881
FMA15632
Anatomical terminology
Cortical part of the adrenal gland (on the pointer).

Situated along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, including aldosterone and cortisol respectively. It is also a secondary site of androgen synthesis.

Layers

The cortex can be divided into three distinct layers of tissue based on their organization.

Layer Name Primary product
Most superficial cortical layer zona glomerulosa mineralocorticoids (eg, aldosterone)
Middle cortical layer zona fasciculata glucocorticoids (eg, cortisol)
Deepest cortical layer zona reticularis weak androgens (eg, dehydroepiandrosterone)

Steps of hormone synthesis

  • All adrenocortical hormones are synthesised from cholesterol.

The steps up to this point occur in many steroid-producing tissues. Subsequent steps, however, only occur in the adrenal cortex:

  • Progesterone → (hydroxylation at C21) → Deoxycorticosterone → (two further hydroxylations) → Aldosterone
  • Progesterone → (hydroxylation at C17) → 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone → (hydroxylation) → Deoxycortisol → (hydroxylation) → Cortisol

Production

The adrenal cortex produces a number of different corticosteroid hormones:

Mnemonics

The layers of the cortex can be remembered with the mnemonic GFR: G - glomerulosa, F - fasciculata, R - reticularis.

Another mnemonic that is used is Go Find Rex, Make Good Sex: G - glomerulosa, F - fasciculata, R - reticularis, M - mineralcorticoids, G - glucocorticoids, S - sex hormones. (This mnemonic simplifies the relationship between the locations of production of glucocorticoids and sex hormones.)

Another mnemonic is "Salt, Sugar, Sex: The deeper you go, the sweeter it gets." As one moves layers into the adrenal cortex, compounds that control salt (mineralcorticoids), sugar (glucocorticoids), and sex (weak androgens) are produced.

Another useful aid in remembering the secretions of the adrenal cortex gland is to remember it as the adrenal CARtex, whose hormones are produced by General Motors Corporation, or GMC: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and the cortical sex hormones.

Pathology

See also

References

  1. ^ "Embryology of the adrenal gland". Retrieved 2007-12-11.