The hypothalamic-pituitary-end organ progression of hormones is best represented by

Corticotropin-releasing hormone -> adrenocorticotropic hormone -> cortisol.
This is the HPA axis. The hypothalamus produces corticotropin-releasing hormone that will act over the anterior pituitary that will then release the adrenocorticotropic hormone. The adrenocorticotropic hormone activates the adrenal cortex producing cortisol. Cortisol works then as a inhibitor promoting negative feedback to establish homeostasis.