Cerebral cortex | cerebral cortex | Congenital adrenal hyperplasia | Woronin bodies (arrows) immobilized on the cortex of ''Sordaria fimicola | premotor cortex | Motor cortex | motor cortex | Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis | Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back | Cortex Plus | congenital adrenal hyperplasia | Cerebral Cortex (journal) | Cerebral Cortex |
Mineralocorticoid hormones are synthesized in the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex known as the zona glomerulosa.
Because 11β-hydroxylase activity is not necessary in the production of sex steroids (androgens and estrogens), the hyperplastic adrenal cortex produces excessive amounts of DHEA, androstenedione, and especially testosterone.
Etomidate suppresses corticosteroid synthesis in the adrenal cortex by reversibly inhibiting 11-beta-hydroxylase, an enzyme important in adrenal steroid production; it leads to primary adrenal suppression.