ABSTRACT
Normal adrenal gland Normal adult adrenal glands are composed of cortex and medulla. Embryologically, the adrenal cortex develops from the mesoderm while the medulla takes origin from primitive neuroectodermal cells. The adrenal cortex secretes three classes of steroid hormones: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex steroids. The adrenal medulla secretes predominantly epinephrine. The weight of the gland varies with age and functional status and, according to different sources, ranges between 4 and 6 g in normal adults.1 When sectioned perpendicular to the long axis the cortex is 1-2 cm thick and bright yellow due to the lipid content, while the medulla is gray-white and concentrated in the head and body of the gland.
