Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Its primary function is to stimulate the production and release of cortisol from the cortex (outer layer) of the adrenal glands.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Doctors measured the patient's adrenocorticotropic hormone levels to assess pituitary function.
  • A tumor can cause an overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone, leading to Cushing's syndrome.

Advanced Usage

• "ACTH stimulation test": A diagnostic procedure where synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone is administered to evaluate how well the adrenal glands respond by producing cortisol.
  • The endocrinologist ordered an ACTH stimulation test.

Variants and Related Words

• ACTH (noun): The common acronym for adrenocorticotropic hormone.
  • The lab report showed elevated ACTH.
• Corticotropin (noun): Another name for adrenocorticotropic hormone.
• Adrenocorticotropin (noun): A full synonym for adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Synonyms

• Corticotropin
• Adrenocorticotropin
• ACTH (acronym)

Related Phrases

• ACTH deficiency: A condition characterized by insufficient production of adrenocorticotropic hormone.
• ACTH-dependent: Describing a condition where the cause or maintenance is linked to adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.

Noun

1. a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex