USMLE Exam Prep

Answer: C - The adrenal cortex producing insufficient corticosteroids is Addison’s disease. The disease is also known as primary hypoadrenocorticism. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, weakness, hypotension, depression, and irritability. Orally, there will be brown macular pigmentation on the mucosa due to increased ACTH, which stimulates melanocytes. Corticosteroid replacement therapy provides treatment.