cortisol

[kawr-tuh-sawl, -sohl]

noun

1. Biochemistry.,  one of several steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and resembling cortisone in its action.

2. Pharmacology.,  hydrocortisone.

cortisol

/ ˈkɔːtɪˌsɒl /

noun

1. another name for hydrocortisone

cortisol

1. The principal steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It regulates carbohydrate metabolism and the immune system and maintains blood pressure. When natural or synthetic cortisol is used as a pharmaceutical, it is known as hydrocortisone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cortisol¹

First recorded in 1950–55; cortis(one) + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cortisol¹

C20: from _cortis ( _one ) + _-ol ²

Example Sentences

“I finally figured out that my cortisol was really high and that my progesterone and my estrogen were low,” Hataway said.

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A second stage of the analysis has already taken saliva swabs from women to measure levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

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Willis says that spending time outdoors lowers levels of cortisol and adrenaline - the hormones that surge when you're stressed or anxious.

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This triggers the release of cortisol, a stress hormone that suppresses immune responses.

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Exercise does the same thing to your body as stress does - it raises your heart rate, puts your blood pressure up, makes you breather faster and releases adrenaline and cortisol.

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