glucocorticoid biosynthetic pathway cortisol biosynthetic pathway 2010-04-20T04:49:53Z PW:0000774 Those metabolic reactions involved in the synthesis of cortisol, a C21 glucocorticoid produced in the middle zone, the zona fasciculata, of the adrenal cortex from cholesterol as the precursor. It plays important roles in the metabolism of carbohydrates and other nutrients. cortisol biosynthetic process pathway vpetri