heparin

[ hep-uh-rin ]
/ ˈhɛp ə rɪn /

noun

Biochemistry. a polysaccharide, occurring in various tissues, especially the liver, and having anticoagulent properties.
Pharmacology. a commercial form of this substance, obtained from the liver and lungs of domesticated food animals, that when injected into the blood prevents coagulation: used chiefly in the treatment of thrombosis.

Origin of heparin

1915–20; < Greek hêpar the liver + -in2

Words nearby heparin

heortology, hep, hep a, hepa, hepar, heparin, heparitin sulfate, hepat-, hepatalgia, hepatatrophia, hepatectomy

British Dictionary definitions for heparin

heparin
/ (ˈhɛpərɪn) /

noun

a polysaccharide, containing sulphate groups, present in most body tissues: an anticoagulant used in the treatment of thrombosis

Derived forms of heparin

heparinoid, adjective

Word Origin for heparin

C20: from Greek hēpar the liver + -in

Medical definitions for heparin

heparin
[ hĕp′ər-ĭn ]

n.

A complex organic acid that is found especially in lung and liver tissue, has a mucopolysaccharide as its active constituent, prevents platelet agglutination and blood clotting, and is used in the form of its sodium salt in the treatment of thrombosis.

Other words from heparin

hep′a•rin′i•za′tion (-ə-rĭn′ĭ-zā′shən) n. hep′a•rin•ize′ (-ər-ə-nīz′) v.

Scientific definitions for heparin

heparin
[ hĕp′ər-ĭn ]

An acidic glycosaminoglycan found especially in lung and liver tissue that prevents the clotting of blood and is used intravenously in the treatment of thrombosis and embolism.