FETOPROTEIN Meaning and
Definition
-
Fetoprotein, also known as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), is a protein that is produced by the liver and yolk sac of a developing fetus. It is also produced by certain adult tissues, although the levels are much lower compared to fetal production. The primary function of fetoprotein during fetal development is to transport nutrients and hormones across the placenta from the mother to the fetus.
In medical terms, fetoprotein refers to a biomarker that is used to measure the levels of AFP in the blood. The concentration of AFP in the blood of pregnant women is routinely measured during prenatal screenings to assess the risk of certain fetal abnormalities, such as neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome. Elevated levels of AFP can indicate the presence of a neural tube defect, while lower levels may be associated with other chromosomal disorders.
Additionally, fetoprotein is also used as a tumor marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of certain types of cancer. Elevated levels of AFP in the blood can indicate the presence of liver cancer, testicular cancer, or germ cell tumors. Monitoring the AFP levels can help in assessing the effectiveness of treatment and detecting any reoccurrences.
Overall, fetoprotein is a versatile protein that plays a crucial role during fetal development and serves as a useful diagnostic tool in medicine for detecting certain fetal abnormalities and tumors.
Common Misspellings for FETOPROTEIN
- detoprotein
- cetoprotein
- vetoprotein
- getoprotein
- tetoprotein
- retoprotein
- fwtoprotein
- fstoprotein
- fdtoprotein
- frtoprotein
- f4toprotein
- f3toprotein
- feroprotein
- fefoprotein
- fegoprotein
- feyoprotein
- fe6oprotein
- fe5oprotein
- fetiprotein
- fetoprotien
- foetoproteine
- Fettoproteine
- Fenoprotein
Etymology of FETOPROTEIN
The word "fetoprotein" consists of two components: "feto" and "protein".
1. "Feto" - This part of the word is derived from the Latin term "fetus", which means "unborn offspring" or "young one". It is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dhe(i)- meaning "to suckle" or "to nurse".
2. "Protein" - This term comes from the French word "protéine", which was coined in 1838 by the Dutch chemist Gerhardus Johannes Mulder. He derived it from the Greek word "protos", meaning "first" or "primary".
By combining these two components, "fetoprotein" describes a specific type of protein (alpha-fetoprotein) that is produced by the developing fetus.
Similar spelling words for FETOPROTEIN
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
