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HA14

Endocrine14o
The cortex is divided into three zones (HA14). The outermost zone, next to the green capsule, is the zona glomerulosa, (G). The cells of the zona glomerulosa are arranged in closely packed, ball-like cords surrounded by capillaries. The middle zone is the zona fasciculata (F). The cells in the zona fasciculata are arranged in columns oriented perpendicular to the outer surface of the gland. The capillaries run parallel with the cords between every pair of columns. The cells are large, polyhedral, and light staining. The innermost zone is the zona reticularis (R). The cells of the zona reticularis are irregular cords arranged into anastomosing networks. You can identify arterioles (HA14) of the capsular plexus (small clear structures below the green capsule) beginning their descent through the cortex into the medulla. The cells of the medulla appear to be quite homogeneous.