Adrenal Cortex

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: “The hypothalamus secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which directs the anterior pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In turn, ACTH directs the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids, such as cortisol. Glucocorticoids not only perform their respective functions throughout the body but also prevent further stimulating secretions of both the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland”¹

The Anterior pituitary releases ACTH which stimulates the adrenal cortex to release more cortisol and aldosterone.

Dysfunction

When dysfunctional, the adrenal cortex can either be overactive or underactive.

Addison’s and Cushing’s Disease DDX

Addison’s Disease	Cushing’s Disease

Addison’s Disease

Cushing’s Disease

1.

Boundless. Boundless Anatomy and Physiology. Open Education Resource (OER) LibreTexts Project https://university.pressbooks.pub/test456/chapter/overview-of-anatomy-and-physiology/