ACTH

[ ey-see-tee-eych ]

abbreviation for

1. Biochemistry. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates the cortex of adrenal glands.
2. Pharmacology. this substance, extracted from the pituitary glands of hogs and other species, in the form of its white, water-soluble powder, used for the diagnosis of diseases that impair the adrenal glands.

ACTH

noun

1. adrenocorticotrophic hormone; a polypeptide hormone, secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates growth of the adrenal gland and the synthesis and secretion of corticosteroids. It is used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, allergic and skin diseases, and many other disorders Also calledcorticotrophin

ACTH

1. Abbreviation of adrenocorticotropic hormone

Word History and Origins

Origin of ACTH¹

First recorded in 1940–45; a(dreno)c(ortico)t(ropic) h(ormone); adrenocorticotropic ( def )

Example Sentences

ACTH, a hormone made by the pituitary gland that controls cortisol production, was at normal levels in the Long Covid group.

From Science Magazine

These measured ACTH, the hormone that controls the adrenal glands.

From New York Times

In the 1950s, the most commonly used acronym was ACTH, which stands for adrenocorticotropic hormone, a molecule produced in the brain.

From Nature

In the 1950s, the most commonly used acronym was ACTH, which stands for adrenocorticotropic hormone, a molecule produced by a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain.

From Nature

While both might be low in pituitary failure, this is a rare condition and would show both low TSH and ACTH.

From New York Times