Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Located near the kidneys: Describes something positioned close to or in the vicinity of the kidneys.
   • Of or relating to the adrenal glands or their secretions: Pertaining specifically to the adrenal glands or the hormones they produce.

2. Noun:

   • An adrenal gland: Either of a pair of small, complex endocrine glands situated near the kidneys, responsible for producing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The surgeon carefully examined the adrenal region during the procedure.
  • Cortisol is a crucial adrenal hormone involved in stress response.

• Noun:

  • The tumor was found on her left adrenal.
  • The adrenals secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Advanced Usage

• "Adrenal cortex": The outer portion of the adrenal gland, which produces steroid hormones.

  • Aldosterone is produced by the adrenal cortex.

• "Adrenal medulla": The inner part of the adrenal gland, which produces catecholamines like adrenaline.

  • The adrenal medulla is part of the sympathetic nervous system.

Variants and Related Words

• Adrenaline (n): Also called epinephrine; a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla, especially in response to stress.

  • The surge of adrenaline helped her react quickly.

• Adrenocortical (adj): Relating to or derived from the cortex of the adrenal gland.

  • Cushing's syndrome is an adrenocortical disorder.

• Adrenalectomy (n): The surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands.

  • The patient underwent an adrenalectomy to remove the tumor.

Synonyms

• Suprarenal (adj): A less common synonym meaning situated above the kidney; often used interchangeably with 'adrenal' in medical contexts.
  • The suprarenal glands are another name for the adrenal glands.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Adrenal fatigue: A term used in alternative medicine for a collection of nonspecific symptoms like tiredness, supposedly due to poor adrenal gland function. (Note: This is not a recognized medical diagnosis.)

  • Some alternative practitioners claim that chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue.

• Adrenal insufficiency: A recognized medical condition where the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones.

  • Addison's disease is a form of primary adrenal insufficiency.

Adjective

1. near the kidneys
2. of or pertaining to the adrenal glands or their secretions

Noun

1. either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney