adrenal gland

noun Anatomy.

one of a pair of ductless glands, located above the kidneys, consisting of a cortex, which produces steroidal hormones, and a medulla, which produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Nearby words

adrastus, adren-, adrenal, adrenal cortex, adrenal crisis, adrenal gland, adrenal glands, adrenal hypertension, adrenal insufficiency, adrenal medulla, adrenal rest

Origin of adrenal gland

First recorded in 1870–75

Also called suprarenal gland.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for adrenal gland

adrenal gland

noun

an endocrine gland at the anterior end of each kidney. Its medulla secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline and its cortex secretes several steroid hormonesAlso called: suprarenal gland

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for adrenal gland

adrenal gland

n.

Either of two small, dissimilarly shaped endocrine glands, one located above each kidney, consisting of the cortex, which secretes several steroid hormones, and the medulla, which secretes epinephrine.epinephros paranephros suprarenal gland

Science definitions for adrenal gland

adrenal gland

[ ə-drē′nəl ]

Either of two small endocrine glands, one located above each kidney. The outer portion, or cortex, secretes steroid hormones (corticosteroids). The inner portion, or medulla, secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.