Medical term:
thyrocalcitonin
calcitonin
[kal″sĭ-to´nin]a polypeptide hormone secreted by the parafollicular or C cells of the thyroid gland; it is involved in plasma calcium homeostasis and acts to decrease the rate of bone resorption. Preparations of calcitonin are called either calcitonin-human or calcitonin-salmon; the former is a synthetic polypeptide with the same sequence as that occurring naturally in humans, and the latter is either derived from salmon or is a synthetic polypeptide of the same sequence as that found in salmon. They are used in the treatment of severe hypercalcemia, paget's disease of bone, and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Called also thyrocalcitonin.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
cal·ci·to·nin
(kal'si-tō'nin),A peptide hormone, of which eight forms in five species are known; composed of 32 amino acids and produced by the parathyroid, thyroid, and thymus glands; its action is opposite to that of parathyroid hormone in that calcitonin increases deposition of calcium and phosphate in bone and lowers the level of calcium in the blood; its level in the blood is increased by glucagon and by Ca2+ and thus opposes postprandial hypercalcemia.
Synonym(s): thyrocalcitonin
[calci- + G. tonos, stretching, + -in]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
thyrocalcitonin
(thī′rō-kăl′sĭ-tō′nĭn)n.
See calcitonin.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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