Concerning the Function of the Fetal Zone of the Human Adrenal Gland1

THE unusually large size of the adrenal glands of the human fetus (Figs. 1, 2) and their rapid partial involution have been the subject of numerous reports and investigations. Lanman (1953) contributed an admirable summary of all known details concerning the development and probable function of this gland in the developing human fetus and added a valuable comparative anatomic study of the adrenals in other animals. While a wealth of contributions to the literature is cited by Lanman (19.53), his conclusion is that little definite is known regarding the actual physiology of the adrenal in the unborn human fetus. In this communication the authors have attempted to summarize the. more important literature pertaining to the human fetal adrenal. In addition, a histologic correlation with the chemical data of the preceding paper is presented. On the basis of this material and evidence derived from the literature the endocrine relations are discussed which are of probable significance in the maintenance and function of the fetal zone of the human adrenal gland.