a hormone secreted by the thyroid that inhibits the release of calcium from the skeleton and prevents a build-up of calcium in the blood
Also called: thyrocalcitonin. Compare parathyroid hormone
Word origin
C20: from calci- + ton(ic) + -in
calcitonin in American English
(ˌkælsɪˈtoʊnɪn)
noun
a polypeptide hormone regulating the balance of calcium and phosphate in the blood by direct action on bone and kidney: in mammals, secreted by the thyroid