Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus IV: Organ Systems: Endocrine System
Ronald A. Bergman, PhD
Adel K. Afifi, MD, MS
Ryosuke Miyauchi, MD
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
These glands vary considerably in size and shape: they may be pyramidal, quadrilateral, foliate, or spherical. The right gland is usually quadrilateral, the left foliate (leaf-like). In one study, the gland varied in length from 3.5 to 7.3 cm, in width from 1.5 to 4.0 cm, and in thickness from 0.3 to 1.8 cm. The right and left glands, on average, vary only slightly.
One or both glands may be absent in their normal position. Accessory suprarenal glands are occasionally found, varying in size from a pinhead (1 mm) to a large pea (5 mm). The smaller glands apparently have no medullary substance, but the larger ones may have a medulla. The accessory glands may be found near, upon, or under the capsule of the kidney, and adhered to it by connective tissue. Sometimes they are partially embedded in the substance of the kidney or liver, or they may be found near organs that were in the neighborhood of the suprarenal glands during their embyronic origin and have moved away in the process of development. These include the genital glands (ovary and testis), broad ligament of the uterus, and spermatic cord. Accessory cortical suprarenal tissue may be found at any point along the descending path of the gonads, including the pelvis, inguinal canal, and scrotum.
Accessory medullary tissue is common and may be found in a variety of places, including the heart and along the aorta. Histological confirmation of an intracranial intradural adrenal gland has been reported. Heterotopic renal tissue may be found in the suprarenal gland.
References
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