Which hormones are primarily produced by the adrenal cortex?

Which hormones are primarily produced by the adrenal cortex?

• A. Cortisol, Aldosterone, Epinephrine
• B. Cortisol, Adrenal Androgens, Epinephrine
• C. Cortisol, Aldosterone, Adrenal Androgens
• D. Cortisol, Aldosterone, Norepinephrine

Answer: (C)

The adrenal cortex makes steroid hormones in three families: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and adrenal androgens. The main glucocorticoid is cortisol, the main mineralocorticoid is aldosterone, and the adrenal cortex also produces adrenal androgens (like DHEA). Epinephrine and norepinephrine, by contrast, come from the adrenal medulla, not the cortex. So the trio of cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenal androgens are the hormones primarily produced by the adrenal cortex.

The adrenal cortex makes steroid hormones in three families: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and adrenal androgens. The main glucocorticoid is cortisol, the main mineralocorticoid is aldosterone, and the adrenal cortex also produces adrenal androgens (like DHEA). Epinephrine and norepinephrine, by contrast, come from the adrenal medulla, not the cortex. So the trio of cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenal androgens are the hormones primarily produced by the adrenal cortex.