Which adrenal gland layer secretes cortisol?

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Multiple Choice

Which adrenal gland layer secretes cortisol?

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid produced by a specific zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona fasciculata, which sits between the outer zona glomerulosa and the inner zona reticularis. The adrenal cortex has three layers, each making different steroids: zona glomerulosa → mineralocorticoids (like aldosterone), zona fasciculata → glucocorticoids (like cortisol), zona reticularis → androgens. The adrenal medulla, by contrast, secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). Cortisol release is driven by ACTH from the pituitary and follows a diurnal pattern. So the layer secreting cortisol is the zona fasciculata.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid produced by a specific zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona fasciculata, which sits between the outer zona glomerulosa and the inner zona reticularis. The adrenal cortex has three layers, each making different steroids: zona glomerulosa → mineralocorticoids (like aldosterone), zona fasciculata → glucocorticoids (like cortisol), zona reticularis → androgens. The adrenal medulla, by contrast, secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). Cortisol release is driven by ACTH from the pituitary and follows a diurnal pattern. So the layer secreting cortisol is the zona fasciculata.

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