cortisol
UK[ˈkɔːtɪsɒl]US[ˈkɔːrtɪsɔːl]
n
A steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, involved in the body's response to stress and the regulation of metabolism, immune response, and other functions.
Morpheme Breakdown
cortis
ol
cortis
cortex
ol
chemical suffix
Etymology
The term 'cortisol' is a modern scientific coinage, constructed in the mid-20th century to name a specific hormone. Its first element, 'cortis-', is derived from 'cortisone', the name of a related hormone, which itself originates from 'cortex'—the Latin word for 'bark' or 'rind'. This Latin root was applied anatomically to the outer layer of an organ, such as the adrenal gland where the hormone is produced. The suffix '-ol' is a standard chemical denoter for alcohols, signaling the compound's organic structure. Thus, the word's logic directly links the hormone's site of origin (adrenal cortex) with its chemical classification as a steroid alcohol.
Analysis
Structure: cortis (cortex) + ol (chemical suffix)
- cortis: A shortened form of 'cortex', from Latin cortex meaning 'bark, rind, outer layer'. In this word, it refers specifically to the adrenal cortex.
- ol: A suffix in chemical nomenclature, from the word 'alcohol', indicating that the substance is an alcohol or a phenol.
Examples
Chronic stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol in the body.
The doctor measured her cortisol levels to assess adrenal function.
Cortisol is often called the body's primary stress hormone.