insulin

in-su-lin · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood; the lack of insulin causes diabetes.

  2. 2.

    A preparation of this hormone used medically to treat diabetes.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    insulin resistance — a condition where cells fail to respond normally to insulin
  • •
    insulin pump — a device that delivers insulin continuously
  • •
    insulin shock — a state of hypoglycemia caused by excess insulin

Related words

See also: diabetes, glucose, hormone

Etymology

From Latin insula ("island"), referring to the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas where insulin is produced. The hormone was discovered in 1921 and named by the researchers who isolated it.