The adrenal (suprarenal) |glands| are positioned on the top, or crown, of each |kidney|. They are relatively flat, yellowish, and measure about one inch (2.5 cm) wide by two inches (5 cm) long, though they are slightly smaller in the female than in the male. Each adrenal gland features a |cortex| (outer portion) and a |medulla| (inner portion). The function of the |adrenal glands| is to produce a variety of steroidal ~hormones~ which help regulate a number of body functions. These include glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, ~cortisone~, and corticosterone), mineralcorticoids (aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone), and sex ~hormones~ (androgens). These steroids regulate cell metabolism, stress-resistance, electrolyte and water balance, waste excretion, and other processes. The deficiency of one of the adrenal ~hormones~ results in a disease such as Addison's disease, while hypersecretion of adrenal ~hormones~ leads to Cushing's disease. The |adrenal glands| constantly work to keep the level of these ~hormones~ balanced in the system.
