“ Steroids ” is an umbrella term that can be used to refer to corticosteroids, anabolic steroids , and sex hormone steroids . The meaning of STEROID is any of various compounds containing a 17-carbon 4-ring system and including the sterols and numerous hormones (such as anabolic steroids or corticosteroids ) and glycosides; often, specifically : anabolic steroid . A steroid is any of a class of natural or synthetic organic compounds characterized by a molecular structure of 17 carbon atoms arranged around four rings. Steroids are important in biology, chemistry, and medicine. A steroid is an organic compound with four fused rings (designated A, B, C, and D) arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and as signaling molecules.
