cholesterol

[ kuh-les-tuh-rohl, -rawl ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a sterol, C 27 H 46 O, that occurs in all animal tissues, especially in the brain, spinal cord, and adipose tissue, functioning chiefly as a protective agent in the skin and myelin sheaths of nerve cells, a detoxifier in the bloodstream, and as a precursor of many steroids: deposits of cholesterol form in certain pathological conditions, as gallstones and atherosclerotic plaques.
2. the commercial form of this compound, obtained from the spinal cord of cattle, used chiefly as an emulsifying agent in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and in the synthesis of vitamin D.

cholesterol

/ kəˈlɛstəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a sterol found in all animal tissues, blood, bile, and animal fats: a precursor of other body steroids. A high level of cholesterol in the blood is implicated in some cases of atherosclerosis, leading to heart disease. Formula: C 27 H 45 OH Former namecholesterinkəˈlɛstərɪn

cholesterol

/ kə-lĕs′tə-rôl′ /

1. A sterol found widely in animal and plant tissues. It is a main component of blood plasma and cell membranes, and it is an important precursor of many steroid hormones (such as the estrogens, testosterone, and cortisol), vitamin D 2 , and bile acids. In vertebrates, cholesterol is manufactured by the liver or absorbed from food in the intestine. Higher than normal amounts of cholesterol in the blood are associated with higher risk for developing coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Chemical formula: C 27 H 46 O.
2. See also high-density lipoprotein

cholesterol

1. A white soapy substance found in the tissues of the body and in certain foods, such as animal fats , oils, and egg yolks. Cholesterol has been linked to heart disease and atherosclerosis . (It collects on the walls of arteries and interferes with the flow of blood .) High levels of cholesterol in the blood are considered to be unhealthy. ( See saturated fats , HDL, and LDL.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cholesterol¹

First recorded in 1890–95; chole- + Greek ster(eós) “solid” ( stereo- ) + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cholesterol¹

C19: from chole- + Greek stereos hard, solid, so called because first observed in gallstones