SOMATOSTATIN CELL Meaning and
Definition
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A somatostatin cell, also known as a delta cell, is a type of cell found in the pancreas and other regions of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. These cells are responsible for producing somatostatin, a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions.
The somatostatin cell is part of the pancreatic islets, which are small clusters of endocrine cells within the pancreas. These cells account for about 5-10% of the pancreatic islet cells. Somatostatin cells have a distinct appearance, characterized by a round or polygonal shape, and they are scattered among other types of cells within the islets.
Somatostatin produced by these cells acts as an inhibitory hormone, meaning it slows down or suppresses the activity of other cells. It has a wide range of functions, including the regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion from neighboring cells, as well as the suppression of growth hormone release from the pituitary gland. Somatostatin also inhibits the secretion of other hormones, such as gastrin and secretin, involved in digestive processes.
Furthermore, somatostatin acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, where it modulates the release of various neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, contributing to the regulation of neuronal activity.
Overall, somatostatin cells are essential for maintaining hormonal balance and regulating various physiological processes throughout the body.
Common Misspellings for SOMATOSTATIN CELL
- aomatostatin cell
- zomatostatin cell
- xomatostatin cell
- domatostatin cell
- eomatostatin cell
- womatostatin cell
- simatostatin cell
- skmatostatin cell
- slmatostatin cell
- spmatostatin cell
- s0matostatin cell
- s9matostatin cell
- sonatostatin cell
- sokatostatin cell
- sojatostatin cell
- somztostatin cell
- somstostatin cell
- somwtostatin cell
- somqtostatin cell
- somarostatin cell
Etymology of SOMATOSTATIN CELL
The word "Somatostatin" is derived from the Greek words "soma" meaning "body" and "statin" meaning "stationary" or "immobilize". It was coined by Dr. Andrew Schally, a Nobel laureate, in 1973 to describe a hormone secreted by certain cells that has an inhibitory effect on bodily functions. The term "cell" refers to the specific type of cell that produces and releases somatostatin hormone.
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