cortis

Cortis is a term that may refer to several different uses. It is not a standard designation for a single chemical, organism, or concept in science.

In biomedical contexts, the closest established terms are cortisone and cortisol (hydrocortisone). Cortisone is a corticosteroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex and is converted in the body to hydrocortisone, the active glucocorticoid. Hydrocortisone (cortisol) regulates metabolism and the immune response, and synthetic analogs are used to treat inflammation and related conditions. Cortisone and cortisol are part of the family of steroids derived from cholesterol and share a common origin in the adrenal cortex.

As a word, cortis can appear as a shorthand, a misspelling, or a proper noun. It may also serve as a surname in some cultures or as a brand or place name. In such cases, its meaning depends on context rather than a fixed scientific definition.

The root cort- derives from cortex, the outer layer; in endocrinology it appears in terms tied to the adrenal cortex. Related terms include cortisol, cortisone, and cortex.