Zona Reticularis Cells (Net Layer Cells)

Cells in a net

Your two adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys. The outer part of each gland has three layers. The zona reticularis (say reh-tik-yoo-LAIR-iss) is the innermost layer, right next to the gland's center.

Its cells are joined in short, branching rows that cross over each other like a net. "Reticulum" means "little net" in Latin.

Tiny blood tubes run through the gaps in the net, ready to carry the cells' hormones away.

Early growing-up hormones

These cells make a hormone called DHEA and a few others like it. They also make a little cortisol.

DHEA is a mild hormone. The body can turn some of it into stronger hormones. Together they help with some of the early steps of growing up.

This layer makes the most DHEA in young grown-ups. After that, it slowly makes less as people get older.

Zona reticularis quiz