islet of Langerhans

noun phrase

islet of Lang·​er·​hans -ˈläŋ-ər-ˌhänz How to pronounce islet of Langerhans (audio) -ˌhän(t)s How to pronounce islet of Langerhans (audio)
plural islets of Langerhans
: one of the clusters of small slightly granular endocrine cells that form anastomosing trabeculae among the tubules and alveoli of the pancreas and secrete insulin and glucagon

Word History

Etymology

Paul Langerhans †1888 German physician

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of islet of Langerhans was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near islet of Langerhans

Cite this Entry

“Islet of Langerhans.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/islet%20of%20Langerhans. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

islet of Langerhans

noun
islet of Lang·​er·​hans -ˈläŋ-ər-ˌhänz How to pronounce islet of Langerhans (audio)
-ˌhän(t)s
plural islets of Langerhans
: one of the groups of small endocrine cells in the pancreas that produce and give off insulin

Medical Definition

islet of Langerhans

noun
islet of Lang·​er·​hans -ˈläŋ-ər-ˌhänz How to pronounce islet of Langerhans (audio) -ˌhän(t)s How to pronounce islet of Langerhans (audio)
plural islets of Langerhans
: one of the clusters of small slightly granular endocrine cells that form anastomosing trabeculae among the tubules and alveoli of the pancreas and secrete insulin and glucagon

called also islet

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