islands of Langerhans
- noun
- /ˈaɪləndz əv ˈlæŋɡərhænz/
- Specialized
- Damage to the islands of Langerhans can lead to serious metabolic problems such as diabetes.
Examples
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The islands of Langerhans are crucial for insulin production.
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Scientists study the islands of Langerhans to better understand how hormones regulate blood sugar levels.
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A biopsy revealed changes in the islands of Langerhans that were consistent with early-stage diabetes.
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Do you know how the islands of Langerhans function?
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Recent research has shown that the islands of Langerhans play a vital role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
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In patients with Type 1 diabetes, the islands of Langerhans often fail to produce adequate insulin.
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Health professionals often examine the islands of Langerhans to diagnose pancreatic disorders.
Synonyms
1
7.2
Small groups of cells in the pancreas that make hormones like insulin
1
7.4
Groups of cells in the pancreas that make insulin to control blood sugar
Surface Forms
Morphology
island + of + Langerhans
The noun 'islands' clearly signals small patches or clusters and 'of Langerhans' is an eponymic modifier, so a learner who knows 'island' could infer this refers to small groups named after Langerhans. However, the specific biomedical meaning (pancreatic cell clusters that produce insulin) is technical and not predictable from the constituents alone, so the expression is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Islands of Langerhans comes from the scientist Paul Langerhans, who saw small patches of cells in the pancreas that looked like tiny islands under a microscope. These groups make insulin, so the name helps you remember they 'control blood sugar'.