Adrenal and pineal glands

Adrenal gland parts

Adrenal medulla and cortex

Adrenal medulla

Develops from nervous tissue and is under nervous system control

• produces epinephrine and norepinephrine

Adrenal cortex

Produces steroid hormones under the control of the anterior pituitary

Classes of steroid hormones from the Adrenal cortex

• Mineralocorticoids

• Glucocorticoids

• Sex steroids

main glucocorticoid for stress responses

Cortisol

Stress response

• Similar to fight-or-flight response but slower and longer lasting

• Inhibits the immune system​

• Adaptive in responding to acute stress, but cause problems if sustained over time.​

What organ/hormone controls the release of cortisol from the adrenals?

Anterior pituitary/ACTH​

What controls the release of ACTH

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) released by the hypothalamus

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

Bind to adrenergic receptors

α-adrenergic receptors

Respond more to norepinephrine

β- adrenergic receptors

Respond equally to both epinephrine and norepinephrine

Pineal gland location

Between the cerebral hemispheres

Pineal gland function

Secretes melatonin and coordinates daily rhythms of physiological functions (reproduction timing, migration, preparations for cold weather, etc.)