GLANDULA SUPRARENALIS Meaning and
Definition
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The term "glandula suprarenalis" refers to a small pair of endocrine glands located on top of each kidney in the human body, commonly known as the adrenal glands. The word "glandula" is derived from Latin, meaning "gland," while "suprarenalis" is derived from Latin and Greek roots, where "supra" means "above" and "renalis" pertains to the kidneys. Together, "glandula suprarenalis" translates to "gland above the kidneys."
Each glandula suprarenalis consists of two distinct parts: the outer adrenal cortex and the inner adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex is responsible for producing steroid hormones, such as cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones (estrogens and androgens). These hormones are essential for regulating numerous bodily functions, including metabolism, inflammation response, electrolyte balance, and sexual development.
On the other hand, the adrenal medulla is responsible for releasing adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). These hormones are released in response to stress or danger, triggering the body's "fight-or-flight" response by increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and mobilizing energy reserves.
The combined actions of the adrenal cortex and medulla help maintain homeostasis in the body and play a vital role in the response to stress. Dysfunction or disorders of the glandula suprarenalis can lead to various conditions, including adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease, tumors, or hormonal imbalances, affecting overall health and wellbeing.
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Adrenal body or gland, suprarenal body, capsule, or gland; a flattened, roughly triangular body resting upon the upper end of each kidney; it is one of the ductless glands furnishing an internal secretion, one effect of which is an increase in blood-pressure.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GLANDULA SUPRARENALIS
- g landula suprarenalis
- gl andula suprarenalis
- gla ndula suprarenalis
- glan dula suprarenalis
- gland ula suprarenalis
- glandu la suprarenalis
- glandul a suprarenalis
- glandula s uprarenalis
- glandula supr arenalis
- glandula supra renalis
- glandula suprar enalis
- glandula suprare nalis
- glandula supraren alis
- glandula suprarena lis
- glandula suprarenal is
- glandula suprarenali s
Etymology of GLANDULA SUPRARENALIS
The word "glandula suprarenalis" has Latin roots and can be broken down as follows:
1. "Glandula": In Latin, "glandula" means "gland". It is derived from the Latin verb "glāns", which means "acorn" or "fruit" and likely refers to the gland's small size and rounded shape.
2. "Suprarenalis": In Latin, "suprarenalis" is an adjective formed by combining "supra", meaning "above" or "over", and "renes", meaning "kidneys". Hence, "suprarenalis" literally means "above the kidneys".
Therefore, the term "glandula suprarenalis" refers to the adrenal gland, a small gland situated above each kidney.
