The adrenal glands
Adrenal glands · glandula suprarenalis
Small glands sitting on top of each kidney that make adrenaline and cortisol.
What it does
Each adrenal gland sits like a cap on the top of a kidney. Its outer layer makes cortisol, which helps the body cope with stress and controls blood sugar, and aldosterone, which balances salt and blood pressure. Its core releases adrenaline in a fight-or-flight moment.
Surprising fact
Adrenaline was one of the first hormones ever purified, in 1901, and it gets its name from the gland's position "beside the kidney".
Why it matters
The rush of adrenaline is what makes your heart pound and your hands shake before a big moment, preparing your body to act quickly.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.