In tumor development, interfaces between the two parts are also common. Moreover, communication between the cortex and the medulla ensures a regular function of the adult adrenal. Already during adrenal organogenesis, close interactions between cortex and medulla are necessary for proper differentiation and morphogenesis of the gland. The medulla mainly consists of chromaffin cells derived from multipotent nerve-associated descendants of Schwann cell precursors.

Electronic address: mammalian adrenal gland is composed of two distinct tissue types in a bidirectional connection, the catecholamine-producing medulla derived from the neural crest and the mesoderm-derived cortex producing steroids. 4 Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.Electronic address: 1 Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Department of Experimental Diabetology, Nuthetal, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany. 3 Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, King's College London, London, UK.

2 Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.

1 Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Department of Experimental Diabetology, Nuthetal, Germany German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany.

Adrenal cortex and medulla