Main Entry: cor·ti·sone

Pronunciation: \-ˌsōn, -ˌzōn\

Function: noun

: a glucocorticoid C₂₁H₂₈O₅ that is produced naturally in small amounts by the adrenal cortex and is administered in the form of its synthetic acetate C₂₃H₃₀O₆ especially as replacement therapy for deficient adrenocortical secretion and as an anti-inflammatory agent (as for rheumatoid arthritis)—compare 11-dehydrocorticosterone