islets of Langerhans

islands of Langerhans

/ (ˈlæŋəˌhæns) /


pl n
  1. small groups of endocrine cells in the pancreas that secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon

Origin of islets of Langerhans

1
C19: named after Paul Langerhans (1847–88), German physician

Words Nearby islets of Langerhans

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for islets of Langerhans

islets of Langerhans

[ īlĭts əv längər-häns′ ]


  1. Irregular clusters of endocrine cells that are scattered throughout the tissue of the pancreas. The islets of Langerhans contain cells that produce and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon.

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