Adrenal gland, also called suprarenal

gland, either of two small

triangular endocrine glands that are located above each kidney. In humans each adrenal gland
weighs about 5 g (0.18 ounce) and measures about 30 mm (1.2 inches) wide, 50 mm (2
inches) long, and 10 mm (0.4 inch) thick. Each gland consists of two parts: an inner medulla,
which produces epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline and noradrenaline), and an outer
cortex, which produces steroid hormones. The two parts differ in embryological origin,
structure, and function. The adrenal glands vary in size, shape, and nerve supply in other
animal species. In some vertebrates the cells of the two parts are interspersed to varying
degrees.

Adrenal medulla
The adrenal medulla is embedded in the centre of the cortex of each adrenal gland. It is small,
making up only about 10 percent of the total adrenal weight. The adrenal medulla is
composed of chromaffin cells that are named for the granules within the cells that darken
after exposure to chromium salts. These cells migrate to the adrenal medulla from the
embryonic neural crest and represent specialized neural tissue. Indeed, the adrenal medulla is
an integral part of the sympathetic nervous system, a major subdivision of the autonomic
nervous system (see human nervous system). The sympathetic nervous system and the
adrenal medulla are collectively known as the sympathoadrenal system. The chromaffin
granules contain the hormones of the adrenal medulla, which include dopamine,
norepinephrine, and epinephrine. When stimulated by sympathetic nerve impulses, the
chromaffin granules are released from the cells and the hormones enter the circulation, a
process known as exocytosis. Thus, the adrenal medulla is a neurohemal organ.

http://www.britannica.com/science/adrenal-gland