[Physiology and functional investigation of adrenal glands]

Adrenal glands are composed of a cortex producing 3 steroid hormones, namely cortisol, aldosterone and androgens, and a medulla synthesizing catecholamines. The regulation of the corticotropic axis explains the present investigation of this endocrine function including static measurements (plasmatic and urinary cortisol) and dynamic testing which are either stimulatory tests (Synacthene tests) or inhibitory tests (dexamethasone and metyrapone tests). Similarly, the physiology of the renin angiotensin system explains the exploration of the mineralo-corticoid function, which includes measurements of both qualitative and quantitative modifications of renin and aldosterone. Finally, the adrenal medulla in case of pheochromocytoma can produce an excess of catecholamines, which can be measured, themselves or their metabolites in the plasma or urines.