What are the adrenal glands?

Adrenal Cancer: The Basics

S. Jack Wei, MD
Affiliation: The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: October 28, 2008

What are the adrenal glands?

The adrenal glands are small glands that are located just above each kidney (they are sometimes called the suprarenal glands for that reason). They are triangular in shape and consist of several distinct parts:

The central part of the gland is called the adrenal medulla and produces the chemicals epinephrine (also called adrenaline) and norepinephrine. Both of these chemicals are involved in regulation of the nervous system. Epinephrine controls the short-term stress response (aka fight-or-flight response). While norepinephrine also plays a role in short-term stress response, it functions in regulating mood and attention, as well.