Chromaffin cells are the hormone-producing cells of the adrenal medulla. They are modified sympathetic neurons that release adrenaline and noradrenaline directly into the blood when stimulated by sympathetic nerves.
| Location | Adrenal medulla; small clusters in sympathetic paraganglia |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Preganglionic sympathetic fibres from the greater splanchnic nerves (T5-T9) |
| Blood Supply | Superior, middle and inferior suprarenal arteries |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Release stress hormones that raise heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood flow to muscles during fight-or-flight and exercise.
Tumours of chromaffin cells (phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma) cause attacks of high blood pressure, pounding heart, sweating and headache, and are diagnosed with plasma or urine metanephrines. Surgery needs careful preparation with alpha-blockers.
A chromaffin cell tumour releasing excess catecholamines, causing episodic hypertension.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
