What is the primary function of the adrenal medulla?

What is the primary function of the adrenal medulla?

• A. Secretes mineralocorticoids
• B. Produces cortisol
• C. Mediates the fight or flight response via catecholamines
• D. Regulates water balance

Answer: (C)

Adrenal medulla mainly releases catecholamines—epinephrine and norepinephrine—in response to sympathetic stimulation. This triggers the fight-or-flight response: heart rate and contractility rise, airways dilate, liver glucose release increases, and blood flow shifts toward muscles. The medulla acts as the neural control center for rapid systemic preparation to stress. The mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids come from the adrenal cortex, which handles water balance and metabolic stress responses, not the medulla.

Adrenal medulla mainly releases catecholamines—epinephrine and norepinephrine—in response to sympathetic stimulation. This triggers the fight-or-flight response: heart rate and contractility rise, airways dilate, liver glucose release increases, and blood flow shifts toward muscles. The medulla acts as the neural control center for rapid systemic preparation to stress. The mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids come from the adrenal cortex, which handles water balance and metabolic stress responses, not the medulla.