Adrenal vein

Definition

The adrenal vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the adrenal gland back into the systemic circulation. It plays a crucial role in regulating hormones by transporting them directly from the adrenal glands to where they are needed in the body.

Related terms

Adrenal Glands:

Small, triangular glands located on top of both kidneys that produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

Cortisol: A steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex involved in the response to stress and metabolism regulation.

Systemic Circulation: The part of the cardiovascular system which carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body, and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart