The adrenal glands are two small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands located on top of each kidney. They sit in the upper abdomen, specifically on the superomedial aspect of the kidneys, and are positioned just below the diaphragm. The right adrenal gland is typically pyramidal in shape, while the left adrenal gland is more crescent or semilunar shaped
. They are retroperitoneal, meaning they lie behind the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), and are enclosed within the renal (perinephric) fascia, which also surrounds the kidneys. The glands are separated from the kidneys by a layer of perirenal fat and are attached to the crura of the diaphragm by connective tissue
. In summary, the adrenal glands are located directly above the kidneys, inside the abdominal cavity but outside the peritoneal lining, and are closely associated with the diaphragm and surrounding fat and fascia
