cholesterol

cho·les·ter·ol  (k-lst-rôl, -rl)

n.

A white crystalline substance, C₂₇H₄₅OH, found in animal tissues and various foods, that is normally synthesized by the liver and is important as a constituent of cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones. Its level in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions, such as the development of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary artery disease.

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[cholester(in), former name for cholesterol (chole- + Greek stereos, solid; see ster-¹ in Indo-European roots + -in) + -ol¹ (so called because it was first found in gallstones).]

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cholesterol [kol-lest-er-oll]

Noun

a fatty alcohol found in all animal fats, tissues, and fluids, an excess of which is thought to contribute to heart and artery disease [Greek kholē bile + stereos solid]

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cholesterol  (k-lst-rôl)

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 D₂, 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: C₂₇H₄₆O. See also high-density lipoproteinlow-density lipoprotein

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

cholesterol - an animal sterol that is normally synthesized by the liver; the most abundant steroid in animal tissues cholesterin steroid alcohol, sterol - any of a group of natural steroid alcohols derived from plants or animals; they are waxy insoluble substances HDL cholesterol - the cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins; the `good' cholesterol; a high level in the blood is thought to lower the risk of coronary artery disease LDL cholesterol - the cholesterol in low-density lipoproteins; the `bad' cholesterol; a high level in the blood is thought to be related to various pathogenic conditions

Translations

cholesterol [kɔˈlɛstərəl] n → colesterol m

cholesterol [kəˈlɛstərɔl] n → cholestérol m

cholesterol [kəˈlɛstərɔl] n → Cholesterin nt

cholesterol [kəˈlɛstərɔl] n → colesterolo