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Zona reticularis

 

 
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The zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex
Adrenal cortex

Situated along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, including aldosterone and cortisol respectively....
, lying deep to the zona fasciculata
Zona fasciculata

Cells of the zona fasciculata sit directly beneath the zona glomerulosa and are organized in bundles .The zona chiefly produces glucocorticoids and a small amount of weak androgens .Adrenal tumour of the zona fasciculata may lead to primary adrenocortical hypersecretion....
 and superficial to the adrenal medulla
Adrenal medulla

The adrenal medulla is part of the adrenal gland. It is located at the center of the gland, being surrounded by the adrenal cortex.Basic...
. The cells are arranged cords that project in different directions giving a net-like appearance (L. reticulum - net).

Cells in the zona reticularis produce precursor sex hormones including dehydroepiandrosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone

Dehydroepiandrosterone is a multi-functional steroid that has been implicated in a broad range of biological effects in humans and other mammals....
 (DHEA), DHEA sulfate and androstenedione
Androstenedione

Androstenedione is a 19-carbon steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the gonads as an intermediate step in the biochemistry pathway that produces the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol....
 from cholesterol
Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy alcohol found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes where it is required to establish proper membrane permeability and membrane fluidity....
. The precursors are not further converted in the adrenal cortex as the cells lack 17ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.






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Encyclopedia


The zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex
Adrenal cortex

Situated along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, including aldosterone and cortisol respectively....
, lying deep to the zona fasciculata
Zona fasciculata

Cells of the zona fasciculata sit directly beneath the zona glomerulosa and are organized in bundles .The zona chiefly produces glucocorticoids and a small amount of weak androgens .Adrenal tumour of the zona fasciculata may lead to primary adrenocortical hypersecretion....
 and superficial to the adrenal medulla
Adrenal medulla

The adrenal medulla is part of the adrenal gland. It is located at the center of the gland, being surrounded by the adrenal cortex.Basic...
. The cells are arranged cords that project in different directions giving a net-like appearance (L. reticulum - net).

Cells in the zona reticularis produce precursor sex hormones including dehydroepiandrosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone

Dehydroepiandrosterone is a multi-functional steroid that has been implicated in a broad range of biological effects in humans and other mammals....
 (DHEA), DHEA sulfate and androstenedione
Androstenedione

Androstenedione is a 19-carbon steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the gonads as an intermediate step in the biochemistry pathway that produces the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol....
 from cholesterol
Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy alcohol found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes where it is required to establish proper membrane permeability and membrane fluidity....
. The precursors are not further converted in the adrenal cortex as the cells lack 17ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Instead, they are released into the blood stream and taken up in the testis and ovaries to produce testosterone
Testosterone

Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testis of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands....
 and the estrogens respectively.

External links

- "Adrenal Gland"