Question
Explain the differences between the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.

Answer

Differences between the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla :
S. No.Adrenal CortexAdrenal Medulla
1. It is external firm region of the adrenal gland. It is central soft region of the adrenal gland.
2. It is pale yellowish-pink in colour. It is dark reddish-brown in colour.
3. It is enclosed by a fibrous capsule. It is not enclosed by a fibrous capsule.
4. It forms about 80% of the adrenal gland. It forms just 20% of the adrenal gland.
5. It develops from the mesoderm. It develops from the ectoderm (neural crests).
6. It consists of 3 concentric regions: Outer zona glomerulosa, middle zona fasiculata and inner zona reticularis. It is not differentiated into regions.
7. It is essential for life, its destruction causes death. It is not essential for life, its destruction does not cause death.
8. It secretes 3 groups of hormones : mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoides and gonado corticoids. It secretes 2 similar hormones nor adrenaline and adrenaline.
9. It is stimulated to release its hormones by the adrenocorticortrophic hormone from the anterior pituitray. It is stimulated to secrete its hormones by nerve impulses reaching via sympathetic nerve fibres.
10. There is no cooperation between adrenal cortex and sympathetic nervous system. Adrenal medulla and sympathetic nervous system function as an integrated system called sympatheticoadrenal system.
11. It causes many deficiency/excess disorders. It is not known to cause any disorder.

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