What it means
The root in words about the outer layer of the brain, the adrenal glands or the kidneys. A corticosteroidkor-tih-koh-STER-oydA drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.cortic/o cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland)-oid likeFull entry is a hormone made by the adrenal cortex (or a drug like it), and decorticate means cut off from the cerebral cortex.
At a glance
| Also written | cortico- |
|---|
Related terms
corticosteroid
A drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.
decorticate posturing
An abnormal body position with the arms bent in toward the chest, the hands clenched into fists and the legs held stiff and straight.