lisämunuaiskuorisen

Lisämunuaiskuorinen, in English adrenal cortex, refers to the outer layer of the adrenal gland. This endocrine tissue is responsible for producing a variety of steroid hormones, collectively known as corticosteroids. These hormones play crucial roles in numerous bodily functions. The adrenal cortex is divided into three distinct zones, each producing specific types of corticosteroids. The outermost zone, the zona glomerulosa, synthesizes mineralocorticoids, primarily aldosterone, which regulates electrolyte balance, particularly sodium and potassium, and blood pressure. Beneath this lies the zona fasciculata, the thickest layer, which produces glucocorticoids, most notably cortisol. Cortisol is vital for metabolism, stress response, immune function, and inflammation control. The innermost zone, the zona reticularis, synthesizes androgens, which are sex hormones, although their role in adult humans is less significant compared to those produced by the gonads. The production of these hormones is tightly regulated by hormonal feedback mechanisms involving the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Disruptions in adrenal cortex function can lead to various endocrine disorders, such as Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease, and Conn's syndrome, each characterized by an overproduction or underproduction of specific corticosteroids.