The word "adrenocortical" is spelled with two roots: "adreno-" from the adrenal gland, and "-cortical" from the cortex of the adrenal gland. The stress is on the second syllable, "corti-", which is pronounced /kɔrtɪkəl/. The "a" in "adreno-" is pronounced as in "apple", /ə/. The "e" in "-cortical" is pronounced as in "pet", /ɛ/. When combining the two roots, the "o" in "adreno-" becomes silent, resulting in the pronunciation /əˌdrinoʊˈkɔrtɪkəl/.
Adrenocortical is an adjective that relates to the cortex of the adrenal gland or is associated with the functions of the adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex is the outer layer of the adrenal glands, which are small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands located on the top of each kidney.
The adrenal cortex plays a significant role in hormone production and regulation. It produces several types of steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids (such as cortisol), mineralocorticoids (such as aldosterone), and sex steroids (such as testosterone and estrogen). These hormones are crucial for various physiological processes in the body, such as regulating metabolism, blood pressure, and water balance, as well as influencing immune responses and reproductive system functions.
When something is described as adrenocortical, it implies that it affects or is influenced by the adrenal cortex or its hormones. For example, adrenocortical disorders refer to conditions that affect the adrenal cortex's ability to produce and release hormones, leading to imbalances and resulting health problems. Adrenocortical tumors specifically refer to growths or tumors that develop in the adrenal cortex.
Overall, the term adrenocortical is used predominantly in medical and biological contexts, describing anything related to the structure, function, disorders, or treatment involving the adrenal cortex or its hormones.
The word "adrenocortical" is derived from the combination of three components: "adreno-", "cortical", and the combining form "-al".
The first component, "adreno-", is derived from the Latin word "adrenalis", which referred to the adrenal glands. The term "adrenalis" itself was a combination of "ad-" (meaning "near") and "renes" (meaning "kidneys"), as the adrenal glands are located near the kidneys.
The second component, "cortical", is derived from the Latin word "cortex", meaning "bark" or "rind". In the context of anatomy, "cortical" refers to the outer layer of a structure, in this case, referring to the outer layer of the adrenal gland.