Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Adrenal Hormones 1

Adrenal Hormones I
Session Overview
Description
This session reviews the functions of the sympathetic nervous system, the physiology of the adrenal medulla and the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the functional anatomy of the adrenal medulla
• Outline the biosynthetic pathway of the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline
• Discuss the control, release and pharmacokinetics of these hormones
• List the sites of action and physiological effects of these hormones

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete:

• 07b_25_02 Autonomic Nervous System

The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys (Fig 1). Although they are relatively small in size, weighing about 2.5 g each, they manufacture and secrete hormones that modulate the function of every tissue, organ and gland in the body to maintain homeostasis during stress.

They are essential for life and they have important effects on what a person thinks and feels. Therefore, they are relevant to the practice of anaesthesia and intensive care medicine.

This session describes the basic physiology and functions of the catecholamines that are released from the adrenal medulla.