Zona reticularis

Zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex, the envelope of tissue that surrounds the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing hormones that the body needs to function. The zona reticularis specifically produces androgens, sex hormones that are primarily male but are present in both sexes.

Structure

The zona reticularis is located directly beneath the zona fasciculata and above the adrenal medulla. It is the smallest of the three layers of the adrenal cortex, making up about 7-10% of the total cortex volume. The cells in the zona reticularis are smaller and darker than those in the other layers of the cortex. They are arranged in an irregular, net-like pattern, which is why the layer is named "reticularis", from the Latin word for "net".

Function

The primary function of the zona reticularis is to produce and secrete androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione. These hormones are converted in other tissues to more potent androgens like testosterone and estrogens. The production of these hormones is regulated by the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is released by the pituitary gland.

Clinical significance

Dysfunction of the zona reticularis can lead to a variety of medical conditions. Overproduction of androgens can lead to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a group of inherited disorders that can cause a range of symptoms from ambiguous genitalia in newborns to infertility in adults. Underproduction of androgens can lead to Addison's disease, a condition characterized by fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure.

See also

• Adrenal gland
• Adrenal cortex
• Zona glomerulosa
• Zona fasciculata

References

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  Zona reticularis illustration from Gray's Anatomy
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  Photograph of the adrenal gland showing the zona reticularis
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  Image of Argentina egedii, a species of plant