Histology of Adrenal gland

Dr.P.Sasikala,
Assistant Professor of Anatomy

Location
Abdomen at the superior
poles of the kidneys and
are embedded in adipose
tissue
Right suprarenal gland is
pyramid-shaped and sits
directly on top of the right
kidney,
Left suprarenal gland is
more crescent-shaped and
lies along the medial
border of the left kidney
from the hilus to its
superior pole

Microstructure of Adrenal gland

Each suprarenal gland is covered by a connective
tissue capsule from which septa extend into the
gland substance, accompanied by blood vessels and
nerves.
Made up of two functionally distinct parts:
Superficial part called the cortex, and
Deeper part called the medulla.
The volume of the cortex is about
ten times that of the medulla.

Suprarenal cortex
Contains parenchymal cells that synthesize and
secrete several steroid hormones without storing
them
Subdivided histologically into three concentric zones
named, from the capsule inward,
the zona glomerulosa,
the zona fasciculata, and
the zona reticularis

Suprarenal cortex
Zona glomerulosa
Occupy 13% of the cortex
Immediately beneath the
capsule
Columnar or pyramidal cells
Arranged in closely packed,
rounded, arched cords, or
clusters
Cells have deeply staining
nuclei and a basophilic
cytoplasm containing a few
lipid droplets.

Suprarenal cortex
Synthesize and secrete the mineralocorticoid
hormones, principally aldosterone and some
deoxycorticosterone.
Synthesis of these hormones is stimulated by
angiotensin II and ACTH, both required for
normal existence of glomerulosa cells.
Function in controlling fluid and electrolyte
balance of the body by affecting the function of
the renal tubules, specifically the distal
convoluted tubules

Suprarenal cortex
Zona Fasciculata
Occupy 80% of the cortex
Intermediate zone
Large polyhedral cells with basophilic
cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei
Cells contain lipid droplets in their cytoplasm
appears vacuolated
Cells are also called spongiocytes due to
vacuolization
Arranged in one or two cell layers thick
straight cords
Contains sinusoidal capillaries that are
arranged longitudinally between the
columns of parenchymal cells

Suprarenal cortex
Zona Fasciculata
Cells of the zona fasciculata
synthesize and secrete the
glucocorticoid hormones cortisol
and corticosterone.
Synthesis of these hormones is
stimulated by ACTH.
Glucocorticoids function in the
control of carbohydrate, fat, and
protein metabolism
Decrease antibody responses and
have an anti-inflammatory effect

Suprarenal cortex
Zona Reticularis
Occupy 7% of the cortex
Innermost layer lies between
zona fasciculata and medulla
Smaller cells with fewer lipid
droplets disposed in irregular
cords forming an anastomosing
network
Presence of large and numerous
lipofuscin pigment granules

Suprarenal cortex
Zona Reticularis
Near the suprarenal medulla, cells are dark with
electron-dense cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei, which
suggests that this zone contains degenerating
parenchymal cells
Synthesize and secrete androgens, principally
dehydroepiandrosterone and some androstenedione
and also small amounts of glucocorticoids
Both weak, masculinizing sex hormones, Under normal
conditions, the influence of these hormones is
insignificant.

EM Structure of Cells of the Cortex

Cells in all layers of the cortex are characterized by
the presence of
Abundant agranular (or smooth)
endoplasmic reticulum.
Golgi complex is best developed
in cells of the zona fasciculata.
Mitochondria are elongated in the glomerulosa,
spherical in the fasciculata, and unusual with tubular
cisternae (instead of the usual plates) in reticularis.

Adrenal medulla
Lies in the center of the
adrenal gland
Made up of groups or
columns of cells
Cell groups or columns are
separated by wide sinusoids.
Cells are columnar or
polyhedral and have a
basophilic cytoplasm.
Called Chromaffin cells

Adrenal medulla
Functionally, the cells are
considered to be modified
postganglionic sympathetic
neurons.
Neural crest derivatives
secrete catecholamines
Epinephrine and
Norepinephrine
Secretion takes place
mainly at times of stress
(fear, anger)

Sympathetic
neurons

EM Structure of Cells of the

Medulla
Contain abundant granular endoplasmic reticulum (in
contrast to the agranular endoplasmic reticulum of cortical
cells),
Prominent Golgi complex
Also contain membrane
bound secretory vesicles
In some cells these vesicles are
small and electron dense while
in others they are large and not
so dense. The former are contain
noradrenalin and the latter adrenalin.
The suprarenal medulla is now included in the APUD cell
system .

Identification
points
Adrenal cortex
consists of 3layers
1. Zona glomeruiosa
2. Zona fasciculata
3. Zona reticularis
Adrenal medulla
consists of
chromaffin cells

Capsule
Zona glomerulosa

Zona fasciculata

Zona reticularis

Medulla

Thank you