Adrenal glands/Pancreas

Adrenal glands location

Surface of kidneys

Adrenal cortex

Outer layer of adrenal glands

Mineralcorticoids

Adrenal cortex hormone that regulates amounts of minerals in the blood

Glucocorticoids

Adrenal cortex hormone that regulates blood glucose levels by promoting conversion of proteins and fats into glucose

Gonadocorticoids

Small amounts of testosterone and estrogen are produced by adrenal cortex

Adrenal medulla

Inner layer of adrenal gland

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

Hormones of adrenal medulla collectively known as adrenaline/catecholamines, flight or fight system

Epinephrine and norepinephrine Function

Increases heart rate, raising blood pressure, elevating blood glucose levels, dilating the passageways of lungs, preparing boy for high energy expending situations

Pancreas

In abdominal cavity (inferior and posterior to stomach), functions as endocrine organ and digestive system

Pancreas functioning

Digestive tissue producing digestive enzymes, endocrine tissue called islets of langerhans

Insulin

Hormone of islets of langerhans produced by beta cells, functions to allow cells to absorb glucose and lowers blood glucose levels

Glucagon

Hormone of islets of langerhans produced by alpha cells, functions to stimulate release of stored glucose from liver and other organs into blood stream, raises blood glucose levels