islands of langerhans

Friendly

Explanation of "Islands of Langerhans"

Definition: The "islands of Langerhans" are small groups of cells located in the pancreas. These special cells produce important substances called hormones, including insulin, which helps control sugar levels in the blood.

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might encounter the term in relation to diseases such as diabetes, where the function of the islands of Langerhans is impaired.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of the phrase, but you might encounter related terms such as "pancreatic islets" or "islets of Langerhans," which mean the same thing.

Different Meanings:

The term "islands of Langerhans" specifically refers to pancreatic cell clusters and does not have other meanings outside of biological or medical contexts.

Synonyms:

• Pancreatic islets
• Islets of Langerhans

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically include the term "islands of Langerhans." However, in medical discussions, you might hear phrases like "secrete hormones" or "regulate blood sugar."

Summary:

The "islands of Langerhans" are important for understanding how our body controls blood sugar levels.

Academic

Noun

1. cell clusters in the pancreas that form the endocrine part of that organ; secrete insulin and other hormones

Synonyms

• islands of Langerhans
• isles of Langerhans
• islets of Langerhans