collagen

col·la·gen

noun \ˈkä-lə-jən\

Definition of COLLAGEN

: any of a group of fibrous proteins that occur in vertebrates as the chief constituent of connective tissue fibrils and in bones and yield gelatin and glue upon boiling with water

— col·lag·e·nous \kə-ˈla-jə-nəs\ adjective

Origin of COLLAGEN

Greek kolla + International Scientific Vocabulary -gen

First Known Use: circa 1865

col·la·gen

noun \ˈkäl-ə-jən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of COLLAGEN

: an insoluble fibrous protein of vertebrates that is the chief constituent of the fibrils of connective tissue (as in skin and tendons) and of the organic substance of bones and yields gelatin and glue on prolonged heating with water

—col·la·gen·ic \ˌkäl-ə-ˈjen-ik\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

—col·lag·e·nous \kə-ˈlaj-ə-nəs\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

collagen

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of a class of organic compounds, the most abundant proteins in the animal kingdom, occurring widely in tendons, ligaments, dentin (see tooth), cartilage, and other connective tissues. Their molecules share a triple-helix configuration. Collagens occur as whitish, inelastic fibres of great tensile strength and low solubility in water. Soluble when first synthesized (the form used in personal-care preparations), collagen changes to a more stable, insoluble form. Glue made from collagen in animal hides and skins is a widely used adhesive. Specially treated forms of collagen are used in medicine and surgery (including lip implants and other cosmetic surgery), in prostheses, and as sausage casings. Collagen is converted to gelatin by boiling it in water.