What it means
The first step in the body's stress hormone chain. The hypothalamushy-poh-THAL-uh-musA small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.hypo- belowthalamus inner chamber (a part of the brain)Full entry releases CRH, the pituitary responds with ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), and ACTH tells the adrenal glands to make cortisolKOR-tih-solA steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.Full entry . Rising cortisol then turns down CRH (negative feedback).
At a glance
| Also written | corticotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor |
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Related terms
hypothalamus
A small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.