adrenal

/əˈdrinl/

/əˈdrinəl/

Other forms: adrenals

The adjective adrenal describes something near the kidneys. The adrenal glands control the release of stress hormones in the body.

Adrenal is a scientific term describing a pair of endocrine glands that sit at the top of the kidneys in the human body. These glands control the way the kidneys work, as well as affecting stress hormones like adrenaline. The word adrenal, "of or near the kidneys," comes from Latin roots: ad-, "at or near," and renes, "kidneys."

Definitions of adrenal

1. adjective

   of or pertaining to the adrenal glands or their secretions
2. adjective

   near the kidneys
3. noun

   either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney
   synonyms: adrenal gland, suprarenal gland

   type of:

   ductless gland, endocrine, endocrine gland

   any of the glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream