prostaglandin

pros·ta·glan·din   (prŏs'tə-glān'dĭn)    n.  Any of a group of potent hormonelike substances that are produced in various mammalian tissues, are derived from arachidonic acid, and mediate a wide range of physiological functions, such as control of blood pressure, contraction of smooth muscle, and modulation of inflammation. [prosta(te) + gland1 + -in.]

Main Entry: pros·ta·glan·din
Pronunciation: "präs-t&-'glan-d&n
Function: noun
: any of various oxygenated unsaturatedcyclic fatty acids of animals that are formed as cyclooxygenase metabolites especially from unsaturated fatty acids (as arachidonic acid) composed of a chain of 20 carbon atoms and that perform avariety of hormonelike actions (as in controlling blood pressure or smooth muscle contraction)

prostaglandin pros·ta·glan·din (prŏs'tə-glān'dĭn)
n.
Any of a group of hormonelike substances produced in various tissues that are derived from amino acids and mediate a range of physiological functions, such as metabolism and nerve transmission.

prostaglandin   (prŏs'tə-glān'dĭn)  Pronunciation Key  Any of a group of substances that are derived from fatty acids and have a wide range of effects in the body. Prostaglandins influence the contraction of the muscles lining many internal organs and can lower or raise blood pressure.