• In both the male and female the suprarenal glands are located on the superior pole of the

kidneys, within the renal fascia, but separated from the kidneys by the fibrous capsule.

• They are surrounded by a connective tissue capsule filled with perinephric fat.

• Each gland is approximately 5 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 1 cm thick.

• Each gland is composed of an external cortex and an inner medulla.

• The external cortex secretes several steroid hormones including aldosterone, cortisol,
and the sex hormones progesterone, oestrogen, and androgens.

• The inner medulla secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Left suprarenal gland

• The left gland is semilunar in shape and both slightly larger and located more superiorly
than the right gland.

• It is attached to the medial side of the superior pole of the left kidney and its anterior
surface is covered by peritoneum, which separates it from the cardiac end of the
stomach.

• Inferiorly, it is not covered by peritoneum and lies in contact with the posterior aspect of
the pancreas and the splenic vessels.

Blood Supply

• Suprarenal arteries.

Venous Drainage

• Medullary veins (into suprarenal veins)

.

Nerve Supply

• Suprarenal plexus (sympathetic innervation from T8 to L1).