cholecystokinin

A polypeptide hormone (the human peptide has 33 residues) liberated by the upper intestinal mucosa on contact with gastric contents; stimulates contraction of the gallbladder and secretion of pancreatic juice. SEE ALSO: sincalide. SYN: pancreozymin.

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cho·le·cys·to·ki·nin -.sis-tə-'kī-nən n a hormone secreted esp. by the duodenal mucosa that regulates the emptying of the gallbladder and secretion of enzymes by the pancreas and that has been found in the brain called also cholecystokinin-pancreozymin, pancreozymin

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n.

a hormone secreted by the cells of the duodenum in response to the presence of partly digested food in the duodenum. It causes contraction of the gall bladder and expulsion of bile into the intestine and stimulates the production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas (see also pancreatic juice). In the brain cholecystokinin functions as a neurotransmitter, involved in the control of satiety.

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cho·le·cys·to·ki·nin (CCK) (ko″lə-sis″to-kiґnin) [cholecysto- + kinin] a polypeptide hormone secreted by the mucosa of the upper intestine and by the hypothalamus. It stimulates contraction of the gallbladder (with release of bile) and secretion of pancreatic enzymes; hypothalamic cholecystokinin is a neurotransmitter. Called also pancreozymin.