Endocrine Glands

Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

Adrenal Gland Biopsy

The adrenal glands are endocrine glands which are located immediately on top of the kidneys. During an adrenal biopsy, a surgical incision is made in the abdomen and a small sample of tissue is removed and sent to the pathologist for testing. The biopsy is usually performed when a suspicious mass or tumor is found on one or both of the adrenal glands.