Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Use of a Central Venous Line for Fluids, Drugs and Nutrient Administration in a Mouse Model of Critical Illness
Published on: May 2, 2017
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in critical illness
1School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 21201, USA. kjohnson@son.maryland.edu
Abstract:
Severe stress, associated with critical illness, activates the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. Cortisol is essential for general adaptation to stress and plays a crucial role in cardiovascular, metabolic, and immunologic homeostasis. During critical illness, prolonged activation of the HPA axis can result in hypercortisolemia and hypocortisolemia; both can be detrimental to recovery from critical illness. Recognition of adrenal dysfunction in critically ill patients is difficult because a reliable history is not available and laboratory results are difficult to interpret. The review in this article will illustrate how adrenal dysfunction presents in critically ill patients and how appropriate diagnosis and management can be achieved in the critical care setting.
Related Concept Videos
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Hormones of the Adrenal Glands
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

