cortisol definition by Wordo

Noun

A

glucocorticoid

produced

by

the

adrenal cortex

that

mediates

various

metabolic

processes

(

such

as

gluconeogenesis

),

has

anti-inflammatory

and

immunosuppressive

properties

,

and

whose

levels

in

the

blood

may

become

elevated

in

response

to

physical

or

psychological

stress

.

When

used

medicinally

it

is

known

as

hydrocortisone

.