However, it can cause vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels). Norepinephrine (noradrenaline): This hormone works with epinephrine in responding to stress.It also spikes your blood sugar level by helping convert glycogen to glucose in the liver. Epinephrine (adrenaline): This hormone rapidly responds to stress by increasing your heart rate and rushing blood to the muscles and brain.Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla are: Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla help you deal with both physical and emotional stress. Unlike the adrenal cortex, the adrenal medulla does not secrete hormones that are essential to life, but that does not mean they aren’t beneficial. The principle mineralcorticoid is aldosterone, which maintains the right balance of salt and water while helping control blood pressure. Corticosterone: This hormone works with hydrocortisone to regulate immune response and suppress inflammatory reactions.It also helps regulate blood pressure and cardiovascular function. Hydrocortisone: Commonly known as cortisol, it regulates how the body converts fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to energy.Glucocorticoids released by the adrenal cortex include: The adrenal cortex secretes 3 types of hormones that are essential for life – mineralcorticoids, which are regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain glucocorticoids that are regulated by signals from the kidneys and sex hormones to a small degree (most sex hormones are produced by the ovaries and testes). The inner region is known as the adrenal medulla. Their primary role is in secreting hormones that are essential to life.Įach adrenal gland is composed of two distinct structures-the outer part of the adrenal glands is called the adrenal cortex. Think fight or flight reaction.īut that’s not really their primary role. It makes sense, since they are most often referred to for their role in secreting the hormone adrenaline (epinephrine), which enables your body to respond to a stressful situation. When you think of the adrenal glands you likely think of stress.

Adrenal gland main function