Introduction

The adrenal cortex produces three major classes of steroids: (1) glucocorticoids, (2) mineralocorticoids, and (3) adrenal androgens. Clinical syndromes may result from deficiency or excess of these hormones. The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines, with excess being caused by a pheochromocytoma (Chap. 119 Hypertension).