They are a type of endocrine glands, they have the ability to secrete hormones into the bloodstream, hormones are nothing more than chemical messengers that travel through the blood to distant tissues (white tissues), they fulfill a specific function in each organ, they are allows them to enter cells through receptors that can be intracellular or membrane. In the case of the adrenal glands, these are pyriform, that is, they have a triangular appearance, they are located in the upper area of the kidneys, they are generally about the size of a thumb and according to their structure, two areas can be differentiated, cortex and adrenal medulla.
The main function of these glands is to allow the regulation of the body's metabolism in situations of stress or anxiety, thanks to the creation or synthesis of hormones classified as corticosteroids and catecholamines, these are synthesized in different sites of the gland, the corytosteroids are manufactured in the adrenal cortex while catecholamines in the adrenal medulla. Both groups of hormones are synthesized by stimulation of the gland thanks to a pituitary hormone called ACTH (adenocorticotropin).
Within the group of corticosteroids the following can be mentioned: glucocorticoids, this cortical hormone is responsible for the regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, in turn they are very important to mediate allergic and inflammatory reactions; On the other hand, there is cortisol, it fulfills two metabolic functions, like glucocoritcoid metabolizes lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, in turn regulates the concentration of electrolytes and body water, at the time of release of cortisol it is secreted also corticosterone which participates in stress picturesand immunological reactions. Finally, aldosterone belongs to this group, this is considered a mineralocorticoid because it regulates blood electrolytes, specifically modifies the concentration of sodium and potassium, this hormone acts on the glomerular loops allowing the absorption of sodium and excretion of potassium.
As for the medullary corticosteroids (catecholamines) are adrenaline and noradrenaline, these regulate vasodilation as well as alert states in the individual.
