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insulin

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(in′sə lin)

noun

a protein hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans, in the pancreas, which helps the body use sugar and other carbohydrates
a preparation extracted from the pancreas of sheep, oxen, etc. and used hypodermically in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Origin: < L insula, island (see isle) + -in: in allusion to the islets of Langerhans

See insulin in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A polypeptide hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans and functioning in the regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen, which lowers the blood glucose level.
Any of various pharmaceutical preparations containing this hormone that are derived from the pancreas of certain animals or produced through genetic engineering and are used in the medical treatment and management of diabetes mellitus (type I).

Origin:

Origin: New Latin īnsula, island (of Langerhans) (from Latin, island)

Origin: + -in

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