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

---

calcitonin Scientific  

/ kăl′sĭ-tō′nĭn /

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

Compare meaning

How does calcitonin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• calcitriol vs. calcitonin
• parathyroid hormone vs. calcitonin

Example Sentences

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

Pharmaceutical preparations of calcitonin are sometimes prescribed to reduce osteoclast activity in people with osteoporosis and to reduce the degradation of cartilage in people with osteoarthritis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

In contrast, elevated blood calcium levels inhibit secretion of PTH and trigger secretion of the thyroid hormone calcitonin.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Conversely, calcitonin, which is released from the thyroid gland, decreases blood calcium levels when they become too high.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

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

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013