Insulin

//ˈɪnsəlɪn// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A polypeptide hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism (in various animals including humans). countable, uncountable

    "Mommy said that Grandma's diabetes happened because her body stopped making its own insulin."

  2. 2
    hormone secreted by the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas; regulates storage of glycogen in the liver and accelerates oxidation of sugar in cells wordnet
  3. 3
    Any exogenous preparation of this hormone for use as a medication. countable, uncountable

    "The advent of insulin in the mid-20th century changed the lives of millions of people with diabetes."

  4. 4
    Any exogenous preparation of this hormone or its analogues for use as a medication. broadly, countable, uncountable

    "A: What kind of insulin do you take? B: I use basal-bolus therapy, which in my case involves glargine and lispro."

Etymology

From Latin īnsula (“island”) (named for the islets of Langerhans, where insulin is produced) + -in.

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