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The Zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex, which is the outer portion of the adrenal gland, a gland found above the kidneys (which is why it is also known as the suprarenal gland). The zona reticularis is involved with the production of cortisol (similar to that of the zona fasciculata). The adrenal gland produces norepinephrine and epineprhine (known as adrenaline in British nomenclature, hence the gland's name) in the adrenal medulla. Within the cortex, the gland produces mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone in the outermost zona glomerulosa (regulating salt balance), glucocorticoids such as cortisol in the middle zona fasciculata (regulating carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism), and androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is an important sex hormone in females. The zona reticularis lies beneath the zona fasciculata and above the adrenal medulla, and its cells are arranged in a network of cords (a reticulum).[1][2]
.JPG/200px-Adrenal_gland_(zona_reticularis).JPG)
adrenal gland (zona reticularis layer).
- ^ Wheater's Functional Histology, 5th ed. Young, Lowe, Stevens and Heath.
- ^ Histology: A Text and Atlas, 5th ed. Ross and Pawlina.
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