Intracortical nodules in the zona fasciculata of rat adrenal glands were studied electron microscopically and histochemically. The nodules were classified into the following three types. A) Hyperplastic small cell type having numerous elongated mitochondria with vesicular cristae. Alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in this type of nodule. B) Hypertrophic large cell type having well developed smooth‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and occasionally forming a characteristic feature of fenestrated cisterna. Histochemical activity of steroid 3/3‐ol dehydrogenase was increased. These morphological appearances suggest that this type of nodule has a greater capacity for steroid synthesis. C) Lipid droplet type having many mitochondria containing lamellar cristae and intramltochondrial deposits often found near large lipid vacuoles. The activity of secondary alcohol dehydrogenase was generally increased.Structural and cellular relationships among these three types of nodule and the pathogenesis of cortical adenomatous nodule were also discus
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