autacoid
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Related to autacoid: autacoid substance
au·ta·coid
also au·to·coid (ô′tə-koid′)n.
An organic substance, such as a hormone, produced in one part of an organism and transported by the blood, lymph, or sap to another part of the organism where it exerts a physiologic effect on that part.
au′ta·coi′dal (-koid′l) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
autacoid
(ˈɔːtəˌkɔɪd)n
(Physiology) physiol any natural internal secretion, esp one that exerts an effect similar to a drug
[C20: from auto- + Greek akos cure + -oid]
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Noun | 1. | autacoid - any physiologically active internal secretion especially one of uncertain classification secretion - a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell prostaglandin - a potent substance that acts like a hormone and is found in many bodily tissues (and especially in semen); produced in response to trauma and may affect blood pressure and metabolism and smooth muscle activity |
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