The adrenal cortex makes up the perimeter of the adrenal gland and plays an essential role in regulating homeostasis in the body through the secretion of corticosteroid and androgen hormones. The secreted steroids arise from the three zones that form the adrenal gland and these zones provide the framework for the adrenal cortex. The cells in the cortex stem from the mesoderm and form three concentric zones: the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculate, and zona reticularis. Studies have shown that there is extensive interaction between the cortical and medulla regions of the adrenal gland, with cortical cells located within the adrenal medulla and chromaffin cells located within the adrenal cortex. The close contact of these two cell types implies intercellular exchange and allows for further studies of paracrine signaling between the two adrenal endocrine systems. Adrenal cortical cells can be used for further research of hormonal regulation and steroidogenesis.