The adrenal cortex has 3 layers: the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis
Are the adrenal glands intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
The adrenal glands are located in the posterior abdominal cavity, between the superomedial kidney and the diaphragm.
The adrenal gland is enclosed with the kidney by perinephric fascia, but is separated from it by perirenal fat.
The cortex and medulla of the adrenal gland are 2 different glands derived from 2 embryonic origins:
Cortex - derived from embryonic mesoderm
Medulla - derived from embryonic neural crest cells
The medulla lies within the adrenal gland and consists of chromaffin cells which secrete catecholamines (such as adrenaline) into the bloodstream in response to stress.
The adrenal gland is supplied via 3 main arteries:
Superior adrenal artery - derived from inferior phrenic artery
Middle adrenal artery - derived from abdominal aorta
Inferior adrenal artery - derived from the renal arteries
The adrenal glands are drained by the right and left adrenal veins. The right adrenal vein drains into the inferior vena cava and the left adrenal vein drains into the left renal vein
