phosphatidylethanolamine

noun

phos·​pha·​ti·​dyl·​eth·​a·​nol·​amine ˌfäs-fə-ˌtī-dᵊl-ˌe-thə-ˈnä-lə-ˌmēn How to pronounce phosphatidylethanolamine (audio)
-ˈnō-,
(ˌ)fäs-ˌfa-tə-dᵊl-
: any of a group of phospholipids that occur especially in blood plasma and the white matter of the central nervous system and are similar to lecithins

called also cephalin

Examples of phosphatidylethanolamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These lipids – phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) – now seem to be the signposts that mark a cancer cell for destruction. K. N. Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2015

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphatidylethanolamine was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Phosphatidylethanolamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphatidylethanolamine. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphatidylethanolamine

noun
phos·​pha·​ti·​dyl·​eth·​a·​nol·​amine -ˌeth-ə-ˈnäl-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce phosphatidylethanolamine (audio) -ˈnōl- How to pronounce phosphatidylethanolamine (audio)
: any of a group of phospholipids that occur especially in blood plasma and in the white matter of the central nervous system

called also cephalin

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