Mineralocorticoid
Mineralocorticoid
Mineralocorticoids (pronounced: min-er-uh-loh-kawr-ti-koid) are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex, one of the three major layers of the adrenal glands. The term "mineralocorticoid" is derived from the Latin words "mineralis" meaning "mineral" and "cortex" meaning "bark" or "outer layer", referring to the hormones' origin and their role in regulating mineral balance in the body.
Function
Mineralocorticoids primarily regulate the balance of sodium and potassium in the body. This regulation helps control the body's blood pressure, blood volume, and electrolyte balance. The most prominent mineralocorticoid is aldosterone, which acts on the cells of the kidney to increase the reabsorption of sodium and water and the excretion of potassium.
Production and Regulation
Mineralocorticoids are produced and released by the zona glomerulosa, the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex. Their production is regulated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), a hormone system that helps regulate long-term blood pressure and blood volume.
Related Terms
- Aldosterone: The primary mineralocorticoid hormone that regulates sodium and potassium balance.
- Adrenal cortex: The outer layer of the adrenal glands where mineralocorticoids are produced.
- Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS): The hormone system that regulates the production of mineralocorticoids.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mineralocorticoid
- Wikipedia's article - Mineralocorticoid
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