Explain the Functions of adrenomedullary hormones

The functions of the adrenal medulla hormones - adrenaline and noradrenaline - are to:

• Prepare the body to deal with the abnormal conditions, so that it responds to fear and excitement,
• Dilate coronary arteries and increase the blood supply to the heart muscles,
• Dilate the pupil of the eye and allow increased quantity of light to enter,
• Increase the activity of the sweat glands,
• Dilate the bronchi and allow greater amount of air to enter the lungs at each inspiration
• Slow down peristalsis in the digestive tract and limit the flow of saliva,
• Cause rapid breakdown of glycogen into glucose, thus ensuring sufficient glucose for sustained muscle contraction,
• Cause intense vasoconstriction on the renal blood vessels and greatly decrease the output of urine, and
• Contract the spleen thus increasing the volume of circulating blood.