Term: heparin
Literally meaning:
Origin: Anc Greek
ήπαρ/hepar(=λιωερ) because heparin is found especially in liver and lung tissue
>έπαρ>επαίρομαι/eperomai(=expand) probably because liver has the capacity to regenerate after injury and to adjust its size to match its host.
Coined/History
Heparin was isolated in 1916 by Jay McLean and William Henry Howell from canine liver cells but the term was coined later in 1918 by H Howell.
Definition
A naturally occurring mucopolysaccharide that prevents platelet agglutination and blood clotting acting as an antithrombin factor. Heparin is also made synthetically.
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