Adrenal Cortex

The Adrenal Cortex is the area of the brain that surrounds and is immediately adjacent to the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland (adrenaline) secretes adrenaline as a response to stress. The adrenal cortex controls and mediates these stress responses through the release of various chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals, called mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, have the effects of controlling muscle tension, promoting weight gain or loss, etc.