Definition

Noun: A medical condition characterized by the excessive and prolonged secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands. It is a glandular disorder resulting from overactivity of the adrenal cortex.

Usage

This is a specialized medical term. It is used in clinical, veterinary, and scientific contexts to describe a specific endocrine system pathology. It is synonymous with the more common term "Cushing's syndrome."

Examples

• The veterinarian diagnosed the dog with hyperadrenocorticism after observing its symptoms.
• Hyperadrenocorticism can lead to significant metabolic changes in the body.
• Treatment for hyperadrenocorticism often involves medication to regulate hormone production.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used interchangeably with Cushing's syndrome, though the latter is more prevalent in general medical communication.
• In detailed medical discourse, hyperadrenocorticism may be specified as or based on the origin of the excessive cortisol production.

Variants and Related Words

• Adrenocorticism: General term for conditions related to adrenal cortex function.
• Hypercortisolism: Another technical term for the same condition, emphasizing the excess cortisol.

Synonyms

• Cushing's syndrome: The most common synonym in medical practice.
• Cushing's disease: Specifically refers to hyperadrenocorticism caused by a pituitary tumor.

Word Forms

• Hyperadrenocorticism is a noun. There is no direct verb or adjective form of this exact word. Related adjectives would be hyperadrenocortical or cushingoid.

Noun

1. a glandular disorder caused by excessive cortisol