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Which hormones are produced by the adrenal cortex?

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Diagram showing the locations of major human endocrine glands in male and female bodies, including pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, thyroid gland, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, kidneys, testes, and ovaries. — Endocrine system The glands of the human endocrine system.

The adrenal cortex produces several steroid hormones derived from cholesterol. These hormones are categorized based on their primary physiological functions and the specific zones of the cortex where they are synthesized.12

The hormones produced by the adrenal cortex include:

Aldosterone: Produced in the zona glomerulosa, this mineralocorticoid regulates sodium and water balance by acting on the kidneys.12
Cortisol: Produced in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis, this glucocorticoid is essential for regulating carbohydrate metabolism, stimulating gluconeogenesis, and managing stress and inflammation.12
Corticosterone: Also classified as a glucocorticoid, this hormone is produced alongside cortisol and contributes to the regulation of metabolism.2
Adrenal Androgens: Produced in the inner zones (zona fasciculata and zona reticularis), these are male hormones, with dehydroepiandrosterone being the primary product.1

While many steroids can be isolated from the adrenal cortex, cortisol, corticosterone, and aldosterone are the three primary active hormones in most vertebrate groups.2