Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s response to stress and helps maintain proper levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
Definitions
ACTH is a peptide hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. It is also known as corticotropin or adrenocorticotropin.
Origin
The pituitary gland produces ACTH in response to signals from the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls the body’s hormonal balance. The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce ACTH.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, ACTH is “a polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce corticosteroids.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids.”
Associations
ACTH is closely associated with the body’s stress response. When the body experiences stress, the hypothalamus releases CRH, which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to produce ACTH. ACTH then stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, which helps the body cope with stress.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for ACTH include corticotropin, adrenocorticotropin, and ACTH (1-24).
Antonyms
As a hormone, ACTH does not have any antonyms.
The same root words
The root words of ACTH are “adreno,” which refers to the adrenal glands, “cortico,” which refers to the cortex of the adrenal glands, and “tropin,” which refers to a substance that stimulates the production of a hormone.
Example Sentences
- The hypothalamus releases CRH, which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce ACTH.
- ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, which helps the body cope with stress.
- Patients with adrenal insufficiency may need to take medications that mimic the effects of ACTH.