Which of the following is the widest layer adrenal cortex ?

Options

A. Zona glomerulosa
B. Zona fasciculata
C. Zona reticularis
D. Both (1) & (3) together make widest layer

Answer

To determine which layer of the adrenal cortex is the widest, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Structure of the Adrenal Gland**:
- The adrenal gland is located on top of each kidney and consists of two main parts: the adrenal cortex (outer layer) and the adrenal medulla (inner layer).

2. **Identify the Layers of the Adrenal Cortex**:
- The adrenal cortex is divided into three distinct layers:
- **Zona Glomerulosa**: The outermost layer, primarily responsible for producing mineralocorticoids like aldosterone.
- **Zona Fasciculata**: The middle layer, which produces glucocorticoids such as cortisol.
- **Zona Reticularis**: The innermost layer, responsible for producing androgens.

3. **Compare the Width of Each Layer**:
- Among the three layers, the **zona fasciculata** is typically the widest layer of the adrenal cortex. The zona reticularis is narrower compared to the zona fasciculata.

4. **Select the Correct Answer**:
- Given the options:
- Option 1: Zona Glomerulosa
- Option 2: Zona Fasciculata
- Option 3: Zona Reticularis
- Option 4: Both 1 and 3 together
- The correct answer is **Option 2: Zona Fasciculata**, as it is the widest layer of the adrenal cortex.

### Final Answer:
The widest layer of the adrenal cortex is the **Zona Fasciculata**.

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