Definition

A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and stress reactions in the body.

Example

High levels of cortisol can lead to increased stress and anxiety.

Conversation

I've been reading a lot about how stress affects our bodies.

Yeah, I heard that high levels of cortisol can impact our health.

Exactly! It's interesting how it can lead to so many issues.

Right? Managing stress is so important to keep cortisol levels in check.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cortisol is derived from "cortex" (from Latin, meaning bark or outer layer) and the suffix "-sol" (from the Latin "sol" meaning sun). The term refers to a hormone produced by the outer layer of the adrenal glands, which is involved in various bodily functions, including stress response.

Memory Tip

Think of 'cortex' as the outer layer of something, like the adrenal glands, and remember that cortisol is a hormone produced by this outer layer.

Visually Confused Words