ANATOMY

ANATOMY

Part of “CHAPTER 71 – MORPHOLOGY OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX AND MEDULLA“

The adrenal glands are paired structures in the retroperitoneal space, lying anteromedial to the upper pole of the kidneys between the level of the 11th thoracic and the first lumbar vertebrae (Fig. 71-3). Although often abutting the kidneys, the adrenals in obese patients can be widely separated from the kidneys and other retroperitoneal organs by fat.

FIGURE 71-3. Normal adrenal anatomy. Both adrenal glands are supplied by multiple small arteries. The right adrenal vein empties directly into the vena cava, whereas the left adrenal vein enters the left renal vein.

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