The adrenal glands secrete adrenaline (also known as epinephrine).
Understanding the Adrenal Glands and Adrenaline Production
Your adrenal glands, located atop your kidneys, are vital endocrine glands. They produce several crucial hormones, including adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone. These hormones regulate various bodily functions, such as metabolism, blood pressure, and your response to stress.[1, 2, 3, 6, 7]
Specifically, the adrenal medulla, the inner part of the adrenal gland, is responsible for adrenaline production.[3] Adrenaline is a "stress hormone" that prepares your body for "fight or flight" responses. When your body experiences stress, the adrenal medulla releases adrenaline, resulting in increased heart rate, blood pressure, and energy availability.[3, 8] The secretion of adrenaline is regulated by presympathetic neurons in the rostroventrolateral medulla, which are, in turn, controlled by central and/or peripheral signals.[10]
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Stress Response: A stressful situation triggers the brain.
- Signal Transmission: The brain signals the adrenal glands.
- Adrenaline Release: The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline into the bloodstream.
- Bodily Effects: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels prepare the body to react.
The amount of hormones produced by the adrenal glands, including adrenaline, can vary depending on the body's needs.[9] An imbalance in hormone production can lead to various health problems.[2]
References:
[1] Your adrenal glands are endocrine glands located on top of your kidneys. They produce many important hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline. The adrenal hormones help regulate several bodily functions including metabolism, blood pressure and your body's response to stress. 13-May-2022
[2] Cleveland Clinic. Adrenal Gland: What It Is, Function, Symptoms & Disorders. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23005-adrenal-gland
[3] Johns Hopkins Medicine. Adrenal Glands. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adrenal-glands
[4] healthdirect. Adrenal glands. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/adrenal-glands
[5] Nemours KidsHealth. Endocrine System & Glands (for Parents). https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/endocrine.html
[6] National Cancer Institute. Definition of adrenal gland. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/adrenal-gland
[7] Wikipedia. Adrenal gland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenal_gland
[8] BYJU'S. Gland secretes adrenaline. https://byjus.com/question-answer/gland-secretes-adrenaline-3/
[9] MedlinePlus. Adrenal gland hormone secretion. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/8719.htm
[10] NCBI. Catecholamines and the effects of exercise, training and gender. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18416594/
[11] NCBI. Adrenaline: insights into its metabolic roles in hypoglycaemia and stress. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4831313/
