Question

If one adrenal gland is removed, the other one gets enlarged to some extent. Explain.

Answer 1

Adrenal gland :

It is a pair of small yellowish, conical-shaped (triangular shaped) endocrine glands, each gland is present at the apex (just above) of each kidney.

Hormones secreted by Adrenal Cortex regions of the adrenal gland :

(1) Mineralocorticoids :

1. These are steroid compounds with 21 carbon atoms.
2. Aldosterone is the main mineralocorticoid that maintains the balance of water and electrolytes concentrations in blood and tissue fluid.

(2) Glucocorticoids :

1. These are chemically steroid hormones with 21 carbon atoms.
2. Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid that stimulates carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
3. It also produces an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. It stimulates gluconeogenesis (conventions of amino acids into glucose).

(3) Sex Corticoids:

1. These hormones are steroids in nature.
2. Regulates secondary sexual characteristics in males and females.

Hormones secreted by the Adrenal medulla region of the adrenal gland:

(1) Epinephrine (Adrenaline):

1. This hormone is a catecholamine.
2. Alters the blood flow by constricting some blood vessels while dilating others.
3. It increases the rate of heartbeat.

(2) Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) :

1. This hormone is a catecholamine.
2. Acts as a vasoconstrictor (constricts blood vessels).
3. It increases blood glucose levels and enhances lipid metabolism to produce fatty acids.

If one adrenal gland is removed, the other one gets enlarged because one dysfunctional adrenal gland puts additional pressure on the functional gland to meet the added requirement of secretion of hormones that are required by our body for well functioning.