Adrenal cortex zones and the hormones they secrete

What it is

The adrenal gland is read from out to in, and each zone releases its own group of hormones.

• Zona glomerulosa releases the mineralocorticoids, which regulate mineral balance. Aldosterone is the example given.
• Zona fasciculata releases the glucocorticoids, which regulate glucose metabolism. The examples are cortisol, corticosterone and cortisone.
• Zona reticularis releases the androgens, which stimulate masculinization. Dehydroepiandrosterone is the example given.

Under the cortex, the adrenal medulla releases the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which stimulate the sympathetic ANS. The mnemonic GFR runs out to in and pairs each zone with what it makes: Glomerulosa with the mineralocorticoids and aldosterone, Fasciculata with the glucocorticoids and cortisol, Reticularis with the sex hormone, androgen. MAKE GOOD SWEETS is given for the same order, and each zone is also read as SALT, SWEET and SEX.