cortisol

cortisol

 [kor´tĭ-sol]

a hormone from the adrenal cortex, the principal glucocorticoid; called also 17-hydroxycorticosterone and, pharmaceutically, hydrocortisone. A synthetic preparation is used for its antiinflammatory actions.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

cor·ti·sol

(kōr'ti-sol),

The principal glucocorticoid produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. It promotes gluconeogenesis and lipolysis, suppresses protein synthesis, inhibits inflammatory and immune responses, and has mild mineralocorticoid (for example, hypernatremic, kaliureteric, antidiuretic) effects. Most plasma cortisol is bound to transcortin and albumin. Synthetic cortisol administered as a drug is usually known by the alternative name hydrocortisone.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

cortisol

(kôr′tĭ-sôl′, -zôl′, -sōl′, -zōl′)

n.

A steroid hormone, C₂₁H₃₀O₅, produced by the adrenal cortex, that regulates carbohydrate metabolism, maintains blood pressure, and is released in response to stress; hydrocortisone.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

cortisol

Hydrocortisone A major hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, which is the primary glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal gland in response to ACTH stimulation or stress; cortisol has anti-inflammatory activity, and is involved in gluconeogenesis, glycogen storage in the liver, immune regulation, mediation of physiologic stress responses, Ca²⁺ absorption, secretion of gastric acid and pepsin, conversion of proteins to carbohydrates, and nutrient metabolism; it is secreted in a diurnal pattern–levels rise early morning, peak ± 8 am, and flatten in the evening, diurnal cycling is lost in Cushing syndrome; cortisol secretion is influenced by heat, cold, infection, trauma, excercise, obesity, intercurrent illness ↑ in Adrenal CA, Cushing's disease, ectopic ACTH, ectopic CRH, hyperthyroidism, depression, alcoholism, substance abuse, anorexia, heavy smoking, CA, ulcers, DM, chronic pain, strokes, CVA, Parkinson's disease, MS, psoriasis, acne, eczema, stress, aging, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, space adaptation syndrome ↓ in Addison's disease, hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism. See Corticosteroid, Dexamethasone suppression test.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

hy·dro·cor·ti·sone

(hī'drō-kōr'ti-sōn)

A steroid hormone secreted by the cortex of the suprarenal gland and the most potent of the naturally occurring glucocorticoids in humans.
Synonym(s): cortisol.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

cortisol

A hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. Also called hydrocortisone.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

cortisol

or

hydrocortisone

an adrenocortical steroid with effects similar to CORTISONE.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

Cortisol

A hormone released by the cortex (outer portion) of the adrenal gland when a person is under stress. Cortisol levels are now considered a biological marker of suicide risk.

Mentioned in: Adrenal Gland Cancer, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Cushing's Syndrome, General Adaptation Syndrome, Suicide

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

cor·ti·sol

(kōr'ti-sol)

Principal glucocorticoid produced by the zona fasciculata of the cortex of the suprarenal gland; promotes gluconeogenesis and lipolysis and inhibits inflammatory and immune responses.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012