This hormone also reduces the number of mast cells, reducing secretion of histamine. It retards phagocytic activities of WBCs and thus suppresses ‘inflammation reaction’.

A third effect of cortisol is to stimulate the break-down of fats in adipose tissue and release fatty acids into the blood. Cortisol also stimulates the degradation of proteins within cells and amino acids in the blood, therefore, increases level of amino acids in the blood. Thus increases level of glucose in the blood. Corticosteroids (corticoids-hormones of adrenal cortex) are grouped into three categories : mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and gonad corticoids. The cells of the zona fasciculata and zona reticulata contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C).Īll hormones of adrenal cortex are synthesized from cholesterol. The cells are arranged in branching cords which secrete gonado-corticoids (e.g., androgens that have masculinizing effects). This is the inner zone that constitutes about 7% of the gland. (iii) Zona reticularis (reticul- network): The cells of this zone secrete mainly glucocorticoids, which are named because they affect glucose homeostasis. It consists of the cells arranged in long, straight columns. This is the middle zone which is widest of the three zones. (ii) Zona fasciculata (fascicul-little bundle): Its cells are closely packed and arranged in spherical clusters and arched columns which secrete hormones called mineralocorticoids because they affect mineral homeostasis. This is the outer zone that lies just below the capsule.

Where is the adrenal gland located