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calcitonin
Pronunciation (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.
Syn: thyrocalcitonin
[calci- + G. tonos, stretching, + -in]
WebMD Medical Reference from "Stedman's Medical Dictionary"
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Stedman’s Medical Dictionary 28th Edition, Copyright© 2006_Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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To avoid injury before you hit the gym, personal trainer, Aaron Small, PhD offers these hamstring and calf stretches.
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