calcitonin

[ kal-si-toh-nin ]

nounBiochemistry.
  1. a polypeptide hormone that participates in the regulation of calcium levels in vertebrates by inhibiting loss of calcium from bone to the blood.

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Origin of calcitonin

1
First recorded in 1960–65; calci- + tone + -in2

Words Nearby calcitonin

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British Dictionary definitions for calcitonin

calcitonin

/ (ˌkælsɪˈtəʊnɪn) /


noun
  1. a hormone secreted by the thyroid that inhibits the release of calcium from the skeleton and prevents a build-up of calcium in the blood: Also called: thyrocalcitonin Compare parathyroid hormone

Origin of calcitonin

1
C20: from calci- + ton (ic) + -in

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for calcitonin

calcitonin

[ kăl′sĭ-tōnĭn ]


  1. A peptide hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that stimulates bone formation and lowers blood calcium and phosphate levels.

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