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Background: The human foetal suprarenal gland is structurally variant from its adult counterpart. The most distinctive features of human foetal suprarenal gland and histologically unique foetal zone, was described first by Elliott and Armour in 1911. After the first trimester, the centrally located foetal zone accounts for most of the foetal adrenal mass. The outer zone of the foetal suprarenal gland is called the “definitive zone or neo cortex”; this zone likely gives rise to the adult adrenal glomerulosa. A third zone called “transitional zone”, lies just between the neocortex and foetal zone and is believed to develop into the zona fasciculata. Aims and Objectives: The current study was designed to study the histogenesis of suprarenal glands at different gestational age groups. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight formalin preserved dead embryos and foetuses of both sexes, were obtained from the Govt. Maternity Hospital & S.V.Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. Specimens were grouped according to their gestational age groups (A,B,C,D) A= 0-12 weeks, B= 13-24 weeks, C= 25-36 weeks and D= more than 36 weeks of gestation. Specimens from group A were subjected to serial section as this group consists of embryos, and other groups were sectioned coronal and subjected to routine histological processing for H&E staining. Sections were observed for cellular details under light microscopy with 10X and 40X magnifications, and the same were photographed by microphotography. Results: Based upon the gestational age groups, histogenesis of the suprarenal gland was observed and correlated with the available literature, and the detailed results, discussion will be dealt at the time of discussion. Conclusions: Histological observation of the all the specimens observed in the present study are in agreement with those reported in the literature except that they appeared earlier in the present study than that reported in the literature. Capsule of suprarenal gland appeared at 12 weeks, sympatho-chromaffin bundles appeared before 6 weeks and zonation of cortex was observed at 8 weeks in the present study when compared to the time of appearance reported in the literature as 14 weeks, after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks respectively in the literature.

Background: Fetal suprarenal gland consists of three zones. They are the outer definitive zone or neocortex (DZ) that forms adult Zona Glomerulosa (ZG), the centrally located fetal zone and a third transitional zone (TZ) the future adult Zona Fasciculata (ZF) which lies just between the neocortex and fetal zone (FZ). The inner ZF that consists of large eosinophilic cells, and the outer definitive zone (DZ) consists of small, densely packed basophilic cells. As early as in 6th week of gestational Age, pheochromoblasts derived from the neural crest migrate through the fetal cortex to form the medulla at a later stage of development. The medulla unrecognizable as a distinct structure in the suprarenal gland throughout most of the gestation, except for small clusters or nests of chromaffin cells scattered throughout the body of the cortex. Aims and Objective: The study was designed and aimed to understand the early developmental histology of suprarenal gland. Materials and Methods: Study conducted at the Department of Anatomy, SV Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study was carried out by processing representative samples of fetal suprarenal tissues of 13 weeks, 17 weeks, 24 weeks, 25 weeks and 38 weeks gestational age. While processing, we observed the standard dissection procedure and histopathological tissue processing for the human samples. Results: Peripheral narrower and darker definitive zone or true cortex and an inner wider and lighter fetal zone was observed at 13, 17, 24 weeks with 10x objective. The demarcation between cortex and medulla could be seen clearly at 24 weeks. At 25 weeks capsule is very thick and vascular. A well-differentiated gland tissue with clear demarcation of cortex and medulla and a large central vein was observed. At 38 weeks degeneration of fetal zone with a thick-walled central vein was observed at lower magnification (10x objective) Conclusion: Observations on prenatal microscopic structure and gestational age-related changes in suprarenal glands form the basis for understanding structural changes and a foetal database for the local population.

Introduction: Development of adrenal gland is always peculiar as it involves the complex process. It has an intriguing role in the harmonious development of fetus. Ultrasonographic Studies on fetal supra renal glands help in understanding the embryology of Suprarenal glands and are also useful in obstetrics, perinatology and fetopathology. Risk factors associated in the pregnancy like maternal diabetes and hypertension could impair the growth of adrenal glands. The nomograms of adrenal glands observed by ultrasonography are of clinical importance and help us in planning prevention and management of a fetus in high-risk pregnancies. This requires a feasible and repeatable screening test. Objective: To estimate various suprarenal gland measurements such as length, width, thickness, volume, surface area, circumference, thickness of cortex and medulla Materials and methods: Present study conducted with62 live normal human fetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 20 – 40 weeks, through ultrasonographic study using real time 4D and B mode Ge Voluson 730 pro ultra sound macine. Probes used were AB-2-7 Convex 2d abdominal Probe and RABA 4-8 Convex 4D abdominal probe. After obtaining the prior permission from the institutional ethics committee, consent from pregnant woman. Sex of the fetus was not revealed during ultrasonographic study. Fetal parameters of supra-renal gland were recorded and documented. Results: Suprarenal gland length, width, thickness, cortico-medullary thickness, surface area and circumference of both right and left side revealed significant difference (p<0.01). the detailed data analysis was presented in the subsequent headings. Conclusion: The data obtained from this study, may useful to understand the suprarenal morphometry in live fetuses thus the database useful in obstetrics, perinatology and fetopathology.

Background: Adrenal gland is a lifesaving endocrine gland of the human body. Knowledge of normal microscopic anatomy of the Adrenal gland facilitates Pathologists to correlate and make the differential diagnosis of various adrenal glands associated clinical conditions on histopathological examination. Aims and Objective: To study histological features of human adrenal gland in the post-natal period at different ages. Materials and Methods: Present study is conducted with 98 human adrenal glands from 49 unclaimed dead bodies during an autopsy and 22 human adrenal glands from 11 cadavers during routine dissection in S.V Medical College, Tirupati, which were utilized after obtaining consent from the close kith and kin. During the autopsy/dissection, the samples collected were from 2 Years to 64 years of age individuals of both sex with typical external features and divided into three groups. The first group consisted of less than 25 years of age. The second group consists of ages between 26 years to 50 years. The third group included 51 years and above, and all the specimens are processed for histological staining and observed under the microscope. Results: At 2 years well-developed capsule with large vessels and well-differentiated zones of definitive cortex and medulla were identified. The thick muscular coat of the central vein was identified at 20 years. At 36 years & 45 years, cellular architecture in various zones is very well differentiated. At 65 years, the cortico-medullary demarcation was irregular, and vascularity decreased. Conclusion: Histological features of pre-pubertal, adult, and old age group sections helps in the understanding of post-natal changes in the growth of the Suprarenal gland and its functions.