A transverse section of the adult spinal cord shows white matter in the periphery, gray matter inside, and a tiny central canal filled with CSF at its center. Surrounding the canal is a single layer of cells, the ependymal layer.
Cortisol is commonly referred to as the stress hormone.. The hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands and released into the bloodstream as a fight or flight response to stress. The highest quantities of cortisol are produced in the early morning hours and then production slowly tapers off throughout the day.
Cortisol is a hormone in the adrenal cortex that surges in response to the release of ACTH, another hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Cortisol levels are a good indicator of adrenal and pituitary function. Elevated cortisol levels can be a sign of several medical disorders.