The right adrenal gland sits just below the liver, posterior to the inferior vena cava, and anterior to the diaphragm. Each gland measures 50 mm in height, 30 mm in breadth, and 10 mm in thickness. At birth, the adrenal glands are roughly one-third the size of the kidney, though, by adulthood, they are only one-thirtieth the size of the kidney. Each adrenal gland is found in the epigastrium at the top of the kidney opposite the 11th intercostal end of the vertebral space and the 12th rib. The right suprarenal gland is pyramidal in form, while the left suprarenal gland is crescentic in shape. They are enclosed within the superior renal fascia and sit in the perirenal space.

Both adrenal glands rest on top of the kidneys on their respective side of the body. The adrenal glands lie close to critical vessels and organs. The paired adrenal glands are triangular-shaped organs that measure approximately 5 cm by 2 cm, are located on the superior aspect of each kidney, and weigh 4 to 5 grams each. The adrenal glands also secrete several essential hormones that play a significant role in regulating the body's immune system, body metabolism, and salt and water balance. The adrenal glands play a vital role in the body's fight or flight response. They generate stress hormones that activate physiological adaptations that are necessary to counteract changes in the external environment.

The adrenal glands, also called the suprarenal glands, are a significant part of the endocrine system.

Renal glands produce