Special Surgical Procedures II
LESSON 3: Procedures in Genitourinary Surgery
Section I: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE GENITOURINARY ORGANS
3-8
3-8. ADRENAL GLANDS
The adrenal glands lie retroperitoneally beneath the diaphragm at the medial aspect of the superior pole of each kidney. On the right side, the gland is adjacent to the inferior vena cava; on the left side, the gland is posterior to the stomach and pancreas. Each adrenal gland has a medulla, which secretes adrenaline, and a cortex which secretes steroids and other hormones. The glands are freely supplied with arterial branches from the phrenic and renal arteries and from the aorta. The venous drainage is accomplished on the right by the inferior vena cava; on the left, by the left renal vein.
