Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Zona reticularis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The Zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex, which is the outer portion of the adrenal gland, a gland found above the kidneys (which is why it is also known as the suprarenal gland). The adrenal gland produces norepinephrine and epineprhine (known as adrenaline in British nomenclature, hence the gland’s name) in the adrenal medulla. Within the cortex, the gland produces mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone in the outermost zona glomerulosa (regulating salt balance), glucocorticoids such as cortisol in the middle zona fasciculata (regulating carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism), and androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is an important sex hormone in females. The zona reticularis lies beneath the zona fasciculata and above the adrenal medulla, and its cells are arranged in a network of cords (a reticulum).[1][2]
External links
External links
- Histology image: 14502loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
- Template:AnatomyAtlasesMicroscopic – “Adrenal Gland”
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753