The adrenal glands were evaluated in 70 normal volunteers using linear-array real-time ultrasonography. All the scanning approaches described for manual B-scanning were used and, on the left side, longitudinal scans along the axillary lines were also performed. The right adrenal gland was imaged in 68 of the 70 volunteers and the left gland in 63. The dynamic capabilities of real-time equipment were of great help for proper localisation and identification of the glands. Changes in the scanning plane demonstrated variations in the adrenal morphology, because different portions of the gland were encountered by the scanning beam.