adrenal gland

noun

: either of a pair of complex endocrine organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal medulla that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine

called also adrenal, suprarenal gland

Examples of adrenal gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bad news was that tumors in his liver, adrenal glands, bones and soft tissue had multiplied and grown. —John Carreyrou, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Tumors in the adrenal gland account for up to 20% of Cushing syndrome cases, Yogi-Morren said. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

This can result from the body's adrenal glands producing too much cortisol, but may also be an effect of taking steroid medicines over an extended period of time. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands, maintains this response over time. —Marie Bladt, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adrenal gland

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand

Kids Definition

adrenal gland

noun

: either of a pair of endocrine glands that are located near the kidney and produce the hormone epinephrine

Medical Definition

adrenal gland

noun

: either of a pair of complex endocrine organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal medulla that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine

called also adrenal, suprarenal gland