These glands churn out essential hormones

Here is an unusually dark skin (hyperpigmented) hands of a child with adrenal insufficiency compared to his sibling. — Photo: Dr JEANNE WONG SZE LYN

The adrenal glands are small triangle-shaped glands located on top of the kidneys. They produce hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline.

These hormones help to regulate essential body functions that include blood pressure, metabolism, salt homeostasis and the body’s response to stress and infections.