ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a quick sketch of the anatomical location of the adrenal glands. It examines the differences between the physiological and pharmacological actions of cortisol. The chapter outlines briefly the control of cortisol release, and discusses the biosynthetic pathways of adrenal glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid biosynthesis. The adrenal cortex consists of three layers: outer zona glomerulosa, middle zona fasciculate and inner zona reticularis. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that is it regulates carbohydrate metabolism. The physiological actions of cortisol, that is, as a hormone in the body, should be distinguished from the pharmacological actions of glucocorticoids when administered as drugs. The adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla have different embryological origins: adrenal cortex from mesoderm and adrenal medulla from the neural crest.
