腎上腺 | 合法醫療器材資訊網

腎上腺皮質分泌三種對生命至關重要的激素：由大腦下丘腦和垂體調節的鹽皮質激素，由腎臟信號所調節的糖皮質激素以及少量的性激素（大多數的性激素是由卵巢和睾丸產生）。

When you think of the adrenal glands you likely think of stress. It makes sense, since they are most often referred to for their role in secreting the hormone adrenaline (epinephrine), which enables your body to respond to a stressful situation. Think fight or flight reaction.

But that’s not really their primary role. Their primary role is in secreting hormones that are essential to life.

Each adrenal gland is composed of two distinct structures—the outer part of the adrenal glands is called the adrenal cortex. The inner region is known as the adrenal medulla.

The adrenal cortex secretes 3 types of hormones that are essential for life – mineralcorticoids, which are regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain; glucocorticoids that are regulated by signals from the kidneys; and sex hormones to a small degree (most sex hormones are produced by...