autacoid

au·ta·coid also au·to·coid  (ôt-koid)

n.

An organic substance, such as a hormone, produced in one part of an organism and transported by the blood, lymph, or sap to another part of the organism where it exerts a physiologic effect on that part.

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[aut(o)- + Greek akos, cure + -oid.]

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auta·coidal (-koidl) adj.

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autacoid [ˈɔːtəˌkɔɪd]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Physiology) Physiol any natural internal secretion, esp one that exerts an effect similar to a drug

[from auto- + Greek akos cure + -oid]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

autacoid - any physiologically active internal secretion especially one of uncertain classification autocoid secretion - a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell prostaglandin - a potent substance that acts like a hormone and is found in many bodily tissues (and especially in semen); produced in response to trauma and may affect blood pressure and metabolism and smooth muscle activity