corticosteroids
|cor-ti-co-ste-roids|
🇺🇸
/ˌkɔːrtɪkoʊˈstɛrɔɪdz/
🇬🇧
/ˌkɔːtɪkəʊˈstɛrɔɪdz/
(corticosteroid)
hormone reducing inflammation
Etymology
'corticosteroid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'corticosteroidum', where 'cortic-' comes from Latin 'cortex' meaning 'bark' or 'shell' (here referring to the adrenal cortex), and 'steroid' derives from German 'Steroid', ultimately from Greek 'stereos' meaning 'solid' via 'sterol'.
'corticosteroid' changed from New Latin 'corticosteroidum' (a mid-20th century medical coinage) combining the prefix 'cortico-' (relating to the cortex) with 'steroid' (a class name formed from 'sterol'); the combined term entered modern English in medical literature as 'corticosteroid'.
Initially it referred specifically to hormones produced by the adrenal cortex; over time the term broadened to include synthetic analogues and therapeutic drugs with similar structures and effects.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
any of a class of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex, or their synthetic analogues, commonly used as anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs.
Corticosteroids are often prescribed to reduce inflammation in conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Synonyms
Noun 2
hormones produced by the adrenal cortex (for example, cortisol and aldosterone); biologically active corticosteroids regulate metabolism, immune response, and electrolyte balance.
Researchers measured corticosteroids in the blood to assess adrenal function.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/11 09:09