heparin

hep·a·rin   (hěp'ər-ĭn)    n.  An acidic glycosaminoglycan found especially in lung and liver tissue and having the ability to prevent the clotting of blood, used in the treatment of thrombosis. [Late Latin hēpar, liver (from Greek; see ykw in Indo-European roots) + -in.]

Main Entry: hep·a·rin
Pronunciation: 'hep-&-r&n
Function: noun
: a glycosaminoglycan sulfuric acid ester that occurs especially in theliver and lungs, that prolongs the clotting time of blood by preventing the formation of fibrin, and that is administered parenterally in the form of its sodium salt in vascular surgery and in thetreatment of postoperative thrombosis and embolism —see LIQUAEMIN; —compare ANTIPROTHROMBIN, ANTITHROMBIN

heparin hep·a·rin (hěp'ər-ĭn)
n.
A complex organic acid that is found especially in lung and liver tissue, has a mucopolysaccharide as its active constituent, prevents platelet agglutination and blood clotting, and is used in the form of its sodium salt in the treatment of thrombosis.

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hep'a·rin'i·za'tion (-ə-rĭn'ĭ-zā'shən) n.
hep'a·rin·ize' (-ər-ə-nīz') v.

heparin   (hěp'ər-ĭn)  Pronunciation Key  An acidic glycosaminoglycan found especially in lung and liver tissue that prevents the clotting of blood and is used intravenously in the treatment of thrombosis and embolism.