Zones

Zones in the context of biology and medicine refer to specific areas within organs, tissues, or cells that have distinct structures or functions. Understanding these zones is crucial for diagnosing and treating various medical conditions. This article will focus on zones within several key systems and organs, including the liver, brain, and adrenal glands.

Liver Zones

The liver is divided into three main zones: Zone 1 (periportal zone), Zone 2 (midzonal zone), and Zone 3 (centrilobular zone). These zones are determined by their distance from the portal triads, which consist of a portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct.

• Zone 1 is closest to the portal triads and receives the most oxygenated blood, making it the least susceptible to conditions causing hypoxia. It is primarily involved in oxidative energy metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and cholesterol synthesis.
• Zone 2 serves as an intermediate zone with characteristics of both Zones 1 and 3.
• Zone 3 is located around the central vein and is the least oxygenated. It is most susceptible to ischemic injury and toxic insults. Zone 3 is primarily involved in glycolysis, lipogenesis, and cytochrome P450 activities.

Brain Zones

The brain can be divided into numerous zones based on function and structure, such as the cortical zones and the zones within specific structures like the hippocampus and cerebellum.

• Cortical Zones: The cerebral cortex is divided into zones such as the motor, sensory, and association zones. Each zone has a specific function, for example, the motor zone controls voluntary movements, while the sensory zones process sensory information.
• Hippocampus Zones: The hippocampus, crucial for memory formation, is divided into zones CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4. Each zone has unique neuronal compositions and functions.
• Cerebellar Zones: The cerebellum is divided into three zones: the medial (vermis), intermediate, and lateral zones. These zones are involved in different aspects of motor control and coordination.

Adrenal Zones

The adrenal glands are divided into three zones: the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis. Each zone produces different hormones essential for body regulation.

• Zona Glomerulosa: The outermost layer, responsible for producing mineralocorticoids, such as aldosterone, which regulate sodium and potassium balance.
• Zona Fasciculata: The middle layer, which produces glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, involved in stress response, metabolism, and inflammation.
• Zona Reticularis: The innermost layer, producing androgens, which are precursors to sex hormones.

Conclusion

Understanding the zones within various organs and tissues is essential for medical professionals to diagnose and treat diseases effectively. Each zone has unique characteristics and functions, making them susceptible to different diseases and conditions.

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See Also

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Histology

References

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External Links

• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
• World Health Organization (WHO)