What does corticotropin mean?
Corticotropin, also widely known by its abbreviation ACTH or as adrenocorticotropic hormone, is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Its principal role is to stimulate the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal glands, to release cortisol and other glucocorticoids, making it a central link in the body's response to stress. When the brain perceives stress, it triggers a cascade in which corticotropin is released into the bloodstream and, in turn, prompts cortisol production, regulating metabolism, immune activity, and blood pressure. Clinically, measuring corticotropin levels helps diagnose disorders such as Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrome, and synthetic versions are used in diagnostic stimulation tests. The name itself reflects the hormone's action, combining references to the adrenal cortex with a Greek root meaning to turn toward or act upon.
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol; adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
"Stress rapidly increases the release of corticotropin into the bloodstream."
Often abbreviated as ACTH in clinical contexts.
Any of various pharmaceutical preparations of this hormone, used especially in diagnostic testing of adrenal function.
"The patient received an injection of corticotropin before the morning blood draw."
Rarely pluralized except when referring to different preparations or species variants of the hormone.
"Synthetic corticotropins have been developed for clinical use."
Corticotropin is literally named for what it does: 'cortex' plus '-tropin', a hormone that turns toward and stimulates your adrenal cortex every time you face stress.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of corticotropin
Corticotropin was coined in the twentieth century from modern scientific combining forms: 'corti-' from Latin cortex, meaning bark or rind (referring to the adrenal cortex), and '-tropin' from Greek tropē, meaning a turning, applied to hormones that act on or attract a target organ. The element '-tropin' appears in many hormone names of similar construction, such as gonadotropin. The variant spelling 'corticotrophin' uses the alternative combining form '-trophin', related to Greek trophein, to nourish.
Related word forms
How corticotropin is actually used
A technical medical term used mainly in endocrinology and clinical settings; in everyday speech the abbreviation ACTH is far more common. The spelling variant 'corticotrophin' is more common in British usage.
Easily confused with corticotropin
Cortisol is the glucocorticoid hormone released by the adrenal cortex, whereas corticotropin is the pituitary hormone that signals the adrenal glands to produce it.
Cortisone is a steroid medication and natural glucocorticoid precursor, while corticotropin is a peptide hormone from the pituitary gland.