T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Any view of a slide can be saved for later viewing in different ways.
Clipboard
The address of this view has been copied to your clipboard. This link can be pasted in any other program.
Bookmark
A bookmark link can be created using the bookmark function (Ctrl-D for Windows or Cmd-D for Mac) of your browser. Choose a name for the bookmark and select the folder in which you want it saved.
An adrenal gland is located on the top of each kidney.
Stroma
Capsule - enclosed by a thin layer of connective tissue.
Afferent Blood Vessels - penetrate the capsule and branch into sinusoids that supply the cortex and medulla.
Parenchyma
Cortex - cells that synthesize and secrete steroid hormones.
Zona Glomerulosa - outer zone (15%) of glomerular-like clusters of cells and secrete aldosterone. The cells have a central nucleus and lipid filled ("foamy") cytoplasm.
Zona Fasciculata - middle zone (80%) of two-cell wide vertical cords that secrete cortisol. The cells have a central nucleus and lipid filed ("foamy") cytoplasm.
Zona Reticularis - inner zone (7%) of one-cell wide anastomosing rows that secrete precursors of testosterone. The cells have a central nucleus and eosinophilic cytoplasm often with lipofuscin pigment.