Disease caused by undersecretion of adrenal cortex

Options

A. sterility
B. Cretinism
C. Dwarfism
D. Addison's disease

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Adrenal Cortex**: The adrenal cortex is the outer part of the adrenal glands and is responsible for producing several hormones, including mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens.

2. **Identifying the Diseases**: The question provides four options:
- a. Sterility
- b. Creatinism
- c. Draphism
- d. Addison's disease

3. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Sterility**: This condition is related to the inability to produce offspring and is primarily due to issues with pituitary hormones, not adrenal cortex hormones.
- **Creatinism**: This is a condition characterized by retarded mental and physical development due to a deficiency of thyroid hormones, not related to the adrenal cortex.
- **Draphism**: This condition is caused by a deficiency in growth hormone (somatotropin) and is not associated with the adrenal cortex.
- **Addison's Disease**: This disease is specifically caused by an undersecretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex, particularly mineralocorticoids. It leads to symptoms such as fatigue, low blood pressure, and hyperpigmentation of the skin due to melanin deposition.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the disease caused by undersecretion of the adrenal cortex is **Addison's disease**.

5. **Final Answer**: The correct answer is **d. Addison's disease**.

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