adrenal gland

noun

: either of a pair of complex endocrine organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal medulla that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine

called also adrenal, suprarenal gland

Examples of adrenal gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It is usually linked to a tumor in or enlargement of the adrenal glands. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

It is released by the body's adrenal glands and triggers the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which controls the body's natural fight-or-flight response to physical stressors and dangers. —Laura Schober, Health, 11 July 2024

Upon receiving the distress signal, the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system by sending signals through autonomic nerves to the adrenal glands. —Finnian Kelly, TIME, 8 July 2024

What does adrenaline do to the body? Most commonly activated in the hypothalamus area of the brain, adrenaline gets released through neurotransmitters that send a signal down to the adrenal glands, which sit atop each kidney. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

adrenal gland

noun

: either of a pair of endocrine glands that are located near the kidney and produce the hormone epinephrine

Medical Definition

adrenal gland

noun

: either of a pair of complex endocrine organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal medulla that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine

called also adrenal, suprarenal gland