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Extra-Adrenal Cortisol Synthesis

Meaning

The physiological process where the potent glucocorticoid hormone cortisol is synthesized in tissues located outside of the adrenal cortex, which is the primary and classical site of systemic production. This highly localized, peripheral synthesis is typically driven by tissue-specific enzymes and acts as an autocrine or paracrine regulator, providing immediate, site-specific anti-inflammatory and metabolic control. Recognizing this extra-adrenal production is essential for a comprehensive and accurate understanding of glucocorticoid activity beyond simple systemic circulation levels.