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calcitonin

American  
[kal-si-toh-nin] / ˌkæl sɪˈtoʊ nɪn /

noun

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


calcitonin British  
/ ˌkælsɪˈtəʊnɪn /

noun

  1. Also called: thyrocalcitonin.  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 Compare parathyroid hormone

"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

calcitonin Scientific  
/ kăl′sĭ-tōnĭn /
  1. A peptide hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that stimulates bone formation and lowers blood calcium and phosphate levels.


Etymology

Origin of calcitonin

First recorded in 1960–65; calci- + tone + -in 2

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Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

Interestingly, a similar increase was also observed in the levels of another stress neuropeptide closely related to PACAP, the calcitonin gene-related peptide, or CGRP.

From Science Daily Dec. 1, 2023

Cells in thyroid gland sense calcium decrease causing calcitonin release and stimulating calcium absorption.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Calcium and phosphate are regulated by PTH, calcitriol, and calcitonin.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

When blood calcium levels return to normal, the thyroid gland stops secreting calcitonin.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

A third hormone, calcitonin, is also produced by the thyroid.

From Textbooks Apr. 25, 2013

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