Meaning of CALCITONIN

WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[n]  thyroid hormone that tends to lower the level of calcium in the blood plasma and inhibit resorption of bone
	Synonyms:		thyrocalcitonin
	See Also:		thyroid hormone
Medical Dictionary
	Definition:		A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates the amount of calcium in the blood.
Biology Dictionary
	Definition:		A hormone which is released by the thyroid and parathyroid glands when the levels of calcium compounds in the blood are too high. The hormone acts to reduce the levels of calcium and phosphate. Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by a type of cells in the thyroid gland. (Calcitonin is different from the thyroid hormone thyroxine ). Calcitonin is a small peptide of 32 amino acids. It functions to lower the circulating calcium and phosphate levels. Its secretion is controlled via feedback inhibition by calcium levels.