Adrenal Gland

SIZE In length, the adrenal gland is 3-5 cm long; its transverse dimension is 1-2 cm and its antero-posterior is 4-6 mm. The gland weighs in at 8 gm and has a volume measuring ___. Each glands is 3-5 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, and 4-6 mm thick. Together, the two weight about 8 gm, though their weight and size vary with age and physiologic condition.

size of the adrenal gland length 3 to 5 cm long transverse 1 to 2 cm antero-posterior 4 to 6 mm weight 8 g volume each is between 3 to 5 cm long, 1 to 2 cm wide, and 4 to 6 mm thick together they weigh about 8 g, but their weight and size vary depending upon the age and physiologic condition of the individual

Size and Shape
Cross section of the arenals showing gracile limbs in the shape of a chicken bone.
Each limb is about the width of the crus of the diaphragm.
The inner medulla is colored in red and the outer cortex in yellow.
Ashley Davidoff MD 2018
adrenals-0002

 

Wishbone Shape of the Adrenal Gland
In general the adrenal glands are triangular in shape and are reminiscent of the shape of the “wishbone” or the breast bone of the chicken.
Courtesy of: Ashley Davidoff, M.D.
Wishbone Shape on the CT scan
The right adrenal gland, in this case, looks exactly like the inserted drawing of the “wishbone”. This represents the typical appearance of the glands – the right long and thin, and the left short and stout. The bright red overlays represent some of the branches of the adrenal arteries.Courtesy of: Ashley Davidoff, M.D.

In patients above 50 years of age the distal aorta, which most often is involved in aneurysmatic dilations, measured 16.8 +/- 2.9 mm in men and 14.6 +/- 1.9 mm in women (p < 0.001).

 

Adrenal and Cerebral Dystrophy – Inherited

31464c04 26 male adrenal brain white matter dx adrenal leukodystrophy inherited Davidoff MD Courtesy Rebecca Schwartz