ACTH

[ ey-see-tee-eych ]

abbreviation for

1. Biochemistry. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates the cortex of adrenal glands.
2. Pharmacology. this substance, extracted from the pituitary glands of hogs and other species, in the form of its white, water-soluble powder, used for the diagnosis of diseases that impair the adrenal glands.

ACTH

noun

1. adrenocorticotrophic hormone; a polypeptide hormone, secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates growth of the adrenal gland and the synthesis and secretion of corticosteroids. It is used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, allergic and skin diseases, and many other disorders Also calledcorticotrophin

ACTH

1. Abbreviation of adrenocorticotropic hormone

Word History and Origins

Origin of ACTH¹

First recorded in 1940–45; a(dreno)c(ortico)t(ropic) h(ormone); adrenocorticotropic ( def )