cholesterol
noun
cho·les·ter·ol
kə-ˈle-stə-ˌrȯl
-ˌrōl
: a waxy, fat-like substance C27H46O that is found in the cells, tissues, and body fluids of humans and animals and that serves as a component of cell membranes and functions as a precursor of vitamin D and steroid hormones (such as cortisol and estrogen)
Note: Cholesterol is produced primarily in the liver and is also derived from dietary sources (such as meat, eggs, and dairy products). It is carried in the bloodstream in the form of lipoproteins, and as a constituent of LDL it may contribute to arterial plaque formation leading to atherosclerosis.
The liver uses cholesterol to produce bile acids, which emulsify fats in the small intestine so they can be more readily absorbed and digested.—Deane Morrison
Doctors use statins to treat high cholesterol in patients whose condition has not responded to a treatment of dietary changes.—Joseph Gerstein
In many cases, the flow of oxygen-bearing blood is hindered by a buildup of cholesterol in the coronary arteries …—Michael Waldholz et al.
Despite being much maligned in the popular press, cholesterol plays a crucial role in organizing cell membranes and controlling their physical properties.—Amanda Yarnell
see also bad cholesterol, good cholesterol
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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