What are the three zones of the adrenal cortex and which hormones does each predominantly produce?

The three zones of the adrenal cortex are the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis. The zona glomerulosa predominantly produces mineralocorticoids, the zona fasciculata predominantly produces glucocorticoids, and the zona reticularis predominantly produces gonadocorticoids.

The adrenal cortex is arranged in three layers from the outside in. The superficial zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, whose main role is regulating electrolyte balance, especially sodium and potassium. The middle zona fasciculata mainly produces glucocorticoids, which affect metabolism and help the body resist stress. The innermost zona reticularis mainly produces gonadocorticoids, which are weak androgens. The text also notes that the two innermost layers share some production of glucocorticoids and gonadocorticoids, but each layer primarily produces one type.