islets of Langerhans

British  

/ ˈlæŋəˌhæns /

plural noun

1. small groups of endocrine cells in the pancreas that secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon

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islets of Langerhans Scientific  

/ ī′lĭtsəvläng′ər-häns′ /

1. Irregular clusters of endocrine cells that are scattered throughout the tissue of the pancreas. The islets of Langerhans contain cells that produce and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon.

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Etymology

Origin of islets of Langerhans

C19: named after Paul Langerhans (1847–88), German physician

Example Sentences

"After we observed the islets of Langerhans before and after delivery, we noticed an increase in macrophages, which protect the body from infections by engulfing bacteria, foreign substances and dead cells, after delivery," says Imai.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

Next, the group identified the protein responsible for attracting the macrophages into the islets of Langerhans: cytokine CXCL10.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

Clusters of endocrine cells in the pancreas form the islets of Langerhans, which contain alpha cells that release glucagon and beta cells that release insulin.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

The endocrine cells of the pancreas form clusters called pancreatic islets or the islets of Langerhans.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Scattered here and there among the definitely glandular cell groups creating the external secretion are smaller collections of cells, called the islets of Langerhans, which have been demonstrated to elaborate the internal secretion.

From The Glands Regulating Personality by Berman, Louis, M.D.