Corticosteroids are produced by which part of the body?

Corticosteroids are hormones that are produced by the adrenal cortex, which is the outer layer of the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. This part of the adrenal gland is responsible for synthesizing and secreting several classes of steroids, including glucocorticoids (like cortisol) and mineralocorticoids (like aldosterone). These hormones play critical roles in regulating metabolism, the immune response, and maintaining homeostasis in the body.

The liver, while crucial for various metabolic functions and detoxification processes, does not produce corticosteroids. The pancreas primarily produces insulin and glucagon, which are essential for glucose metabolism, rather than corticosteroids. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones like thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which regulate metabolism but are not related to corticosteroid production. Thus, the only accurate choice regarding the production of corticosteroids is the adrenal cortex.