The outer portion of an adrenal gland surrounding the adrenal medula. The adrenal cortex is divided into three regions:
- the zona glomerulosa - which produces mineralocorticoids: aldosterone
- the zona fasciculata - which produces glucocorticoids: cortisol
- and the zona reticularis - which produces androgens
See also: Addison's disease, Cushing's syndrome, Cushing's disease.