islet of Langerhans

islet of Langerhans
islet of Lang·er·hans -'läŋ-ər-.hänz, -.hän(t)s n any of the groups of small slightly granular endocrine cells that form anastomosing trabeculae among the tubules and alveoli of the pancreas and secrete insulin and glucagon called also islet
Lang·er·hans 'läŋ-ər-.häns Paul (1847-1888)
German pathologist. Langerhans is notable for his studies of human and animal histology. He was among the first investigators to successfully explore this new area of research using staining techniques and other innovative methods. Most important was his work on the pancreas. He described the cell islands of the pancreas in a paper published in 1869. This paper presented the first careful and detailed description of the histology of the pancreas. The islets of Langerhans were first given that name in 1893 by the French histologist G. E. Laguesse. Langerhans also studied the anatomy of the skin and its innervation.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • islet of langerhans — ˈläŋə(r)ˌhän(t)s, hänz Usage: usually capitalized L Etymology: after Paul Langerhans died 1888 German physician : any of the groups of small slightly granular endocrine cells that form anastomosing trabeculae among the tubules and alveoli of the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • islet of Langerhans — /lahng euhr hahns , hahnz , lahng geuhr /, Anat. any of several masses of endocrine cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin, somatostatin, and glucagon. Also called island of Langerhans. [named after Paul Langerhans (1847 88), German anatomist …   Universalium

  • islet of Langerhans — Etymology: Paul Langerhans died 1888 German physician Date: 1896 any of the groups of small slightly granular endocrine cells that form anastomosing trabeculae among the tubules and alveoli of the pancreas and secrete insulin and glucagon …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • islet of Langerhans — is′let of Lang′er•hans [[t]ˈlɑŋ ərˌhɑns, ˌhɑnz[/t]] n. anat. any of the clusters of endocrine cells in the pancreas that are specialized to secrete insulin, somatostatin, or glucagon Also called is′land of Lang′erhans. Etymology: after Paul… …   From formal English to slang

  • islet of Langerhans cell — A pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream. These hormones help control the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Also called endocrine pancreas cell and islet cell …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • islet cell — n one of the endocrine cells making up an islet of Langerhans …   Medical dictionary

  • islet — A small island. blood i. SYN: blood island. islets of Langerhans cellular masses varying from a few to hundreds of cells lying in the interstitial tissue of the pancreas; they are composed of different cell types that comprise the endocrine …   Medical dictionary

  • Langerhans cell — Lang·er·hans cell läŋ ər .hän(t)s n a dendritic cell of the interstitial spaces of the mammalian epidermis that functions as an antigen presenting cell which binds antigen entering through the skin and transports it to the lymph nodes P.… …   Medical dictionary

  • islet — isleted, adj. /uy lit/, n. 1. a very small island. adj. 2. Anat. situated in or pertaining to the islet of Langerhans: islet cells. [1530 40; < MF islette. See ISLE, ET] * * * …   Universalium

  • islet — noun Date: 1538 1. a little island 2. islet of Langerhans …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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