1. Biochem. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates the cortex of adrenal glands.
2. Pharm. this substance, extracted from the pituitary glands of hogs and other species, in the form of its white, water-soluble powder, used for the diagnosis of diseases that impair the adrenal glands. Also called adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenocorticotropin .
[ 1940-45; a ( dreno ) c ( ortico ) t ( ropic ) h ( ormone ) ]