prostaglandin
prostaglandin Any of a group of organic compounds derived from essential fatty acids and causing a range of physiological effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been detected in most body tissues. They act at very low concentrations to cause the contraction of smooth muscle; natural and synthetic prostaglandins are used to induce abortion or labour in humans and domestic animals. Two prostaglandin derivatives have antagonistic effects on blood circulation: thromboxane A2 causes blood clotting, while prostacyclin causes blood vessels to dilate. Prostaglandins are also involved in inflammation, being released from affected tissues. See also aspirin.
prostaglandin
prostaglandin (pros-tă-gland-in) n. one of a group of hormone-like substances present in a wide variety of tissues and body fluids. Prostaglandins have many actions; for example, they cause contraction of smooth muscle (including that of the uterus) and dilatation of blood vessels, they are mediators in the process of inflammation, and they are involved in the production of mucus in the stomach. Synthetic prostaglandins are used to induce labour or produce abortion and to treat peptic ulcers, glaucoma, and (in newborn babies) congenital heart disease.
prostaglandin
prostaglandin One of a group of C20 fatty acids, each containing a five membered ring. Prostaglandins differ from one another in the number and position of double bonds and hydroxyl-group constituents. Their biological effects include the lowering of blood pressure and the stimulation of smooth-muscle contraction.
prostaglandin
prostaglandin One of a series of related fatty acids, with hormone-like action, present in semen and liver, brain and other tissues. Their biological effects include the lowering of blood pressure and the stimulation of contraction in a variety of smooth-muscle tissues, such as in the uterus.
More From encyclopedia.com
Anoxia , Anoxia
Definition
Description
Anoxia resultswhen oxygen isnot being delivered to a part of the body. If the condition does not involve total oxygen d… Edema , Edema
Definition
Edema is a condition of abnormally large fluid volume in the circulatory system or in tissues between the body's cells (interstitial… Oedema , oedema is an excess of fluid in the interstices of body tissues. It can happen anywhere, but swelling of the ankles is the commonest example, althoug… tyramine , tyramine A biologically active amine, derived from tyrosine, that mimics the effects of adrenaline, causing increased heart activity and raising bloo… Bohr Effect , Bohr effect The effect of pH on the dissociation of oxygen from haemoglobin, first discovered by the Danish physiologist Christian Bohr (1855–1911).… Hematology , Hematology is the study of blood and its basic biological components, including red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and b…
About this article
prostaglandin
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
prostaglandin