What is the Difference Between Adrenal Cortex and Adrenal Medulla?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The adrenal gland is composed of two distinct regions: the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. They are responsible for producing and releasing different hormones that are essential for various bodily functions. The main differences between the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla are:
- Hormones produced: The adrenal cortex produces steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone), and adrenal androgens (e.g., testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone). The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines, such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
- Functions: The hormones produced by the adrenal cortex are involved in maintaining salt levels, regulating metabolism, and developing secondary sex characteristics. In contrast, the hormones produced by the adrenal medulla are stress hormones that are released in response to fight or flight situations and play a role in increasing heart rate, force of heart contractions, blood flow to muscles and brain, and glucose (sugar) metabolism.
- Size and location: The adrenal cortex is the outer, larger region of the adrenal gland, while the adrenal medulla is the inner, smaller region.
- Origin: The adrenal cortex arises from the mesoderm, while the adrenal medulla arises from the ectoderm.
- Regulation: The adrenal cortex is regulated by negative feedback involving the hypothalamus and adrenocorticotropic hormone, whereas the adrenal medulla is regulated by nerve impulses from the hypothalamus.
Comparative Table: Adrenal Cortex vs Adrenal Medulla
The adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla are two distinct regions within the adrenal gland, which has a crucial role in hormone synthesis and regulation. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:
Feature | Adrenal Cortex | Adrenal Medulla |
---|---|---|
Location | Outer region of the adrenal gland | Inner region of the adrenal gland |
Origin | Arises from the mesoderm | Arises from the ectoderm |
Hormones | Produces mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens | Produces catecholamines |
Primary Hormones | Cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) | Adrenaline, noradrenaline, and small amounts of dopamine |
Function | Maintains salt levels, regulates metabolism, and supports development of secondary sex characteristics | Responsible for stress response and regulating cardiovascular and respiratory functions |
The adrenal cortex is responsible for maintaining salt levels, regulation of metabolism, and development of secondary sex characteristics, while the adrenal medulla produces stress hormones that are released in response to fight or flight situations.
- Renal Cortex vs Renal Medulla
- Adrenal Gland vs Thyroid Gland
- Catecholamines vs Cortisol
- Cortisol vs Epinephrine
- Cortical Nephron vs Juxtamedullary Nephron
- Adenohypophysis vs Neurohypophysis
- Glucocorticoid vs Mineralocorticoid
- Acetylcholine vs Adrenaline
- Glucocorticoids vs Corticosteroids
- Adrenal Fatigue vs Addison’s Disease
- Cerebrum vs Cerebral Cortex
- Adrenaline vs Noradrenaline
- Cortex vs Epidermis in Plants
- Amygdala vs Prefrontal Cortex
- Medulla Oblongata vs Spinal Cord
- Steroid vs Corticosteroid
- Epinephrine vs Norepinephrine
- Cortisone vs Cortisol (Hydrocortisone)
- DHEA vs Pregnenolone