noun
- A hormone produced by the small intestine that stimulates the gallbladder to release bile and the pancreas to release digestive enzymes.
Usage: medical/scientific term; often abbreviated as CCK
Examples
- Cholecystokinin is released when fatty foods enter the small intestine.
- The hormone cholecystokinin helps regulate digestion by signaling the gallbladder.
- Doctors measure cholecystokinin levels to assess pancreatic and gallbladder function.
- Cholecystokinin also plays a role in appetite suppression and satiety.
- The discovery of cholecystokinin was a major breakthrough in understanding digestive physiology.