Pancreas

Endocrine pancreas: islets of langerhans

• ⍺ cell (blue): secrete glucagon which acts to increase blood glucose levels
• β cell (red): secrete insulin which acts facilitate the uptake of glucose into body cells
• ƍ cell (green): secrete somatostatin which inhibits the exocrine, endocrine and CNS systems

Adrenal glands

• Bilateral glands, 4-5 grams each
• Located in the retroperitoneum, superior and medial to the upper pole of the kidneys
• Separated from the kidneys by a fascial septum
• Have two anatomical and functional parts which secrete hormones, the cortex and the medulla

Adrenal cortex - glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens

• Organised into three zones which correlates with function
• Zona glomerulosa - mineralocorticoids e.g. aldosterone
• Zona fasciculata - glucocorticoids e.g. cortisol
• Zona reticularis - sex steroids and glucocorticoids

Adrenal medulla - adrenaline and noradrenaline (fight or flight)