Describe the hormones of the adrenal gland,their functions,and the disorders due to their deficiency.

(N/A) Location: Our body has one pair of adrenal glands,one at the anterior part of each kidney. The gland is composed of two types of tissues: the centrally located adrenal medulla and the outer adrenal cortex.
Adrenal Medulla:
- Secretes two hormones: adrenaline (epinephrine) and nor-adrenaline (norepinephrine),collectively called catecholamines.
- These are emergency hormones or hormones of 'fight or flight'.
- They increase alertness,pupillary dilation,piloerection (raising of hairs),sweating,heart rate,strength of heart contraction,and rate of respiration.
- They stimulate the breakdown of glycogen,lipids,and proteins,increasing blood glucose levels.
Adrenal Cortex:
- Divided into three layers: zona glomerulosa (outer),zona fasciculata (middle),and zona reticularis (inner).
- Secretes hormones called corticoids:
$1$. Glucocorticoids (e.g.,cortisol): Involved in carbohydrate metabolism,stimulate gluconeogenesis,lipolysis,and proteolysis; inhibit cellular uptake of amino acids; maintain cardiovascular and kidney functions; produce anti-inflammatory reactions; suppress the immune response; and stimulate $RBC$ production.
$2$. Mineralocorticoids (e.g.,aldosterone): Regulate water and electrolyte balance. Aldosterone acts on renal tubules to stimulate reabsorption of $Na^{+}$ and water,and excretion of $K^{+}$ and phosphate ions,thus maintaining electrolytes,body fluid volume,osmotic pressure,and blood pressure.
$3$. Sex corticoids (androgenic steroids): Play a role in the growth of axial,pubic,and facial hair during puberty.
Disorders:
- Deficiency of adrenal cortex hormones leads to Addison's disease,characterized by altered carbohydrate metabolism,weakness,and fatigue.