Oxytocin definition
A synthetic form of this hormone, used as a drug to induce labor and to control postpartum hemorrhage.
noun
A short polypeptide hormone, C43 H66 N12 O12 S2 , released from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle of the uterus during labor and facilitates ejection of milk from the breast during nursing.
noun
A hormone, C43H66N12O12S2, of the posterior pituitary gland, that stimulates contractions in the smooth muscle of the uterus and facilitates the secretion of milk.
noun
A short polypeptide hormone, C43 H66 N12 O12 S2 , released from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle of the uterus during labor and facilitates ejection of milk from the breast during nursing.
noun
A polypeptide hormone secreted by the posterior portion of the pituitary gland. Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle of the uterus during childbirth and facilitates ejection of milk from the mammary glands.
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(biochemistry) A hormone that stimulates contractions during labour/labor, and then the production of milk.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
oxytocin
Plural:
oxytocinsOrigin of oxytocin
- From oxytocic, from Ancient Greek ὀξύς (oxus, “swift") + τόκος (tokos, “childbirth"), from τίκτω (tiktō, “I give birth").
From Wiktionary