Cushing's syndrome

Definition of Cushing's syndrome

: an abnormal condition caused by excess levels of corticosteroids and especially cortisol in the body due either to hyperfunction of the adrenal gland (as from adrenal adenoma or hypersecretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland) or to prolonged use of corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) and that is characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms including a full, rounded face with plethora, fatty deposits in the face, neck, and upper back, truncal obesity, easy bruising, fatigue, muscle weakness, and hypertension — see Cushing's disease

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Cite this Entry

“Cushing's syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cushing%27s%20syndrome. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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Cushing's syndrome

noun

Medical Definition of Cushing's syndrome

: an abnormal condition caused by excess levels of corticosteroids and especially cortisol in the body due either to hyperfunction of the adrenal gland (as from adrenal adenoma or hypersecretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland) or to prolonged use of corticosteroid medications (as prednisone) and that is characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms including a change in appearance marked by moon face with plethora and truncal obesity, easy bruising, fatigue, muscle weakness, and hypertension

— called also adrenogenital syndrome

— compare cushing's disease, hyperadrenocorticism