Glucagon
/ˈɡluː.kə.ɡɒn/noun
A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels, largely by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose.
Did you know?Glucagon was initially described as a pancreatic factor that caused hyperglycemia, essentially acting as insulin’s physiological counterforce.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*glu-
“Possibly associated with a sweet or sticky substance; the reconstructed root behind Greek forms related to sweetness.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γλυκύς (glukús)
“Sweet.”
19th Century
French
glucose
“A sugar; formed from Greek glukús, “sweet,” with a chemical suffix.”
19th Century
French
glycogène
“A substance that generates glucose; the source of the English term glycogen.”
1923
English
glucagon
“A pancreatic hormone name formed from glucose and agonist, referring to its glucose-raising action.”
Modern English
English
glucagon
“A hormone that increases blood glucose, especially during fasting or low blood sugar.”
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