Suprarenal Glands
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Kidneys and ureters
| Main Anatomy Index | Urinary bladder and urethrae
Last updated 30 March 2006
Suprarenal Glands
- The paired suprarenal glands (adrenal glands) are 3 to 5 cm
long.
- They are located superior to the kidneys
(L. renes) and hence their name.
- They lie on each side of the vertebral column against
the superomedial surface of the corresponding kidney.
- Between the glands are the crura of the diaphragm, the aorta, coeliac
trunk and plexus, and the IVC.
- Each gland is enclosed within a fatty capsule and
enveloped in the renal fascia.
- The shape and relations of the suprarenal glands differ on the two sides.
The Right Suprarenal
Gland
- This is perched on the superior
pole of the kidney.
- It is pyramidal in shape with its apex
superiorly and its base embracing the kidney.
- It lies between the diaphragm posteriorly and the IVC anteromedially.
- Superior to this gland lies the bare
area of the liver.
- Its inferior end is covered by peritoneum
reflected over it from the liver.
- Its hilum is on its anterior
surface.
The Left Suprarenal Gland
- This is semilunar in shape and it extends
further inferiorly on the medial margin of the
kidney than does the right one.
- It lies in the stomach bed and is related anterior to the stomach and pancreas and posteriorly with the
diaphragm.
Structure of the
Suprarenal Glands
- The glands are surrounded by a tough connective tissue capsule.
- Each glands has 2 distinct regions:
- An external cortex;
- And an internal medulla.
- The cortex, the major part of the gland, secretes
several steroid hormones.
- The medulla secretes norepinephrine
and epinephrine.
Arterial
Supply of the Suprarenal Glands
- These glands has a profuse supply from 3 sources:
- The aorta (one or more middle suprarenal
arteries);
- The inferior
phrenic artery (6-8 superior suprarenal arteries);
- The renal artery (one or more inferior suprarenal arteries).
Venous
Drainage of the Suprarenal Glands
- These glands are drained mainly be a single, large suprarenal vein.
- The right one drains into the IVC.
- The left one joins the left renal
vein.
- There are also many small veins that accompany the suprarenal
arteries.
Lymphatic
Drainage of the Suprarenal Glands
Innervation of
the Suprarenal Glands
- These glands have a rich innervation from the adjacent coeliac
plexus and the greater thoracic splanchnic nerves.
- These preganglionic sympathetic fibres pass through the
hilum and synapse on
cells in the medulla.
- The suprarenal cortex receives only a vasomotor nerve supply
(Moore).