Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, an endocrine gland in the human body.

The Oxford Medical Dictionary defines "corticosteroid" as "any steroid hormone synthesized by the adrenal cortex".

There are two main groups of corticosteroids :

Glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone), whose functions include:

• Utilization of carbohydrate, fat and protein by the body.
• Normal response to stress.
• Anti-inflammatory effects.
• Hypersecretion of cortisol results in Cushings Syndrome.

Mineralocorticoids (e.g. aldosterone), whose functions include:

• Regulation of salt and water balance.
• Hypersecretion of Alderosterone decreases the potassium in the body (affecting nerve impulse transmission and leading to muscular paralysis).

See also: What is a Hormone ?

For further general information including the locations of the endocrine glands, see the Endocrine Glands of the Human Body.