cortisone

n. a corticosteroid that is produced naturally by the adrenal cortex or synthetically. Cortisone is biologically inactive but is converted to the active hormone cortisol in the liver and other organs. It is used therapeutically in the management of disorders caused by corticosteroid deficiency.

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Psychology term of the day

February 24th 2025

motor neuron disease

any one of a group of degenerative disorders of the lower motor neurons or both the lower and upper motor neurons, marked by progressive weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles and paralysis. This group of disorders includes several forms, but—especially in the United States—the term often is applied specifically to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.