islet of Langerhans

noun phrase

islet of Lang·​er·​hans -ˈläŋ-ər-ˌhänz  -ˌhän(t)s 

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

Kids Definition

islet of Langerhans

noun

islet of Lang·​er·​hans -ˈläŋ-ər-ˌhänz 

-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  -ˌhän(t)s 

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