The zone closest to the adrenal cortex's nucleus is called the zona reticularis.
The largest and outermost portion of an adrenal gland is called the adrenal cortex.
The zona reticularis, the innermost of the three cortical zones, has the ability to release estrogens, a few glucocorticoids, and androgens from the adrenal glands.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione are specifically the products.
These cells appear to be controlled by the cortical androgen-stimulating hormone (CASH), which is derived from proopiomelanocortin, however, they are regulated by cells that are comparable to those of the zona fasciculata through the ACTH.