The adrenal cortex is essential for life, as opposed to the adrenal medulla which is important but not indispensable. 1  The anterior pituitary controls the adrenal cortex by secreting the hormone ACTH. All of the secretions of the adrenal cortex are known as steroids, many of which can now be manufactured synthetically.
royal court - the family and retinue of a sovereign or prince. court. entourage, retinue, cortege, suite - the group following and attending to some important person.
Case law, also known as precedent or common law, is the body of prior judicial decisions that guide judges deciding issues before them. Depending on the relationship between the deciding court and the precedent, case law may be binding or merely persuasive.