Heparin
/ˈhɛp.ər.ɪn/noun
A natural anticoagulant used in medicine to prevent blood clotting.
Did you know?Heparin was named because it was first isolated from liver tissue, and its root ultimately comes from the Greek word for “liver,” the organ ancient medicine treated as a seat of bodily essence.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hēpar
“liver”
Late Latin
Latin
hepar
“liver”
Early 20th Century
English
heparin
“a liver-derived anticoagulant substance”
Modern English
English
heparin
“a medication that prevents blood clotting”
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