The adrenal cortex—the outer part of the gland—produces hormones that are vital to life, such as cortisol and aldosterone.
Function. The adrenal glands are comprised of two parts--the cortex and medulla--that produce hormones (chemicals messengers that regulate body functions). Tumors of the adrenal glands can secrete excess hormones, causing an increase in blood pressure or heart rate and reducing immune function. Disorders that result in decreased adrenal gland function, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer, can lead to low blood sugar and heart failure. These hormones are also known as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones control the fight or flight response i.e. put your body on high alert.. These hormones increase the heart rate, increase blood pressure, increase the amount of oxygen you breathe in, and temporarily improve the eyesight. Once released, these hormones are broken down into normetanephrine and metanephrines, which are metabolites or waste products. The cortex is located on the outer layer of the adrenal gland and makes a number of different hormones that help control the heart, kidneys, GI tract, bones, genitalia, and immune system. These hormones control carbohydrate metabolism, muscular integrity, hemodynamic changes, and sexual maturity The adrenal gland is another endocrine gland regulated by the pituitary. The adrenal cortex, the outer part of each of the two adrenal glands, produces aldosterone, cortisol, and other steroids. These substances regulate salt concentration in body fluids and glucose, fat, and protein metabolism.  The adrenal cortex secretes corticosteroids and other hormones directly into the bloodstream. The hormones produced by the adrenal cortex include: Cortisol. This hormone helps control the body's use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The adrenal medulla, the inner part of the adrenal gland, helps a person cope with physical and emotional stress. The adrenal medulla secretes the following hormones: Epinephrine (also called adrenaline) . 1 The adrenal cortex—the outer part of the gland—produces hormones that are vital to life, such as cortisol (which helps regulate metabolism and helps your body respond to stress) and aldosterone (which helps control blood pressure). Hormones of the Adrenal Glands. The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla have very different functions. One of the main distinctions between them is that the hormones released by the adrenal cortex are necessary for life; those secreted by the adrenal medulla are not. The adrenal glands, located on the top of each kidney, are responsible for releasing different classes of hormones. The outer part of the gland, called the adrenal cortex, produces the hormones cortisol (pronounced KAWR-tuh-sohl) and aldosterone (pronounced al-DOS-tuh-rohn). The inner part of the gland, called the adrenal medulla (pronounced muh-DUHL-uh), produces the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. These are produced within the inside portion of the adrenal glands, called the medulla. These hormones help to regulate your reaction to stress. Cortisol also helps regulate your metabolism, sugar levels, and blood pressure. The adrenal glands are controlled by the pituitary gland, another part of the endocrine system. Located in the head, this is the main controller of endocrine glands. Abnormal signals can disrupt the amount of hormones the pituitary gland tells the adrenal glands to produce The medulla, or inner part of the adrenal glands, produces the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine, which regulate the fight or flight response in the body, the body's reaction to stressful events. Tumors of the adrenal glands can secrete excess hormones, causing an increase in blood pressure or heart rate and reducing immune function. Disorders that result in decreased adrenal gland function, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer, can lead to low blood sugar and heart failure. Because the hormones released from the adrenal glands are so important to the overall functioning of your body, adrenal disorders can have serious consequences on your health. Tumors of the adrenal glands can secrete excess hormones, causing an increase in blood pressure or heart rate and reducing immune function. Disorders that result in decreased adrenal gland function, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer, can lead to low blood sugar and heart failure.
http://www.ehow.com/about_4571567_function-adrenal-gland_.html http://endocrinediseases.org/adrenal/adrenal_what.shtml http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/endocrine-system-pituitary-control.html http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/endocrinology/adrenal_glands_85,P00399/ http://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-adrenal-glands https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/adrenalgland/conditioninfo/Pages/default.aspx http://www.healthline.com/health/adrenal-glands http://www.ehow.com/about_4571567_function-adrenal-gland_.html http://www.ehow.com/about_4571567_function-adrenal-gland_.html
what function does your adrenal gland control