| APUD | <pharmacology, physiology> Paracrine cells of which argentaffin cells are an example. Usage of the term APUD is neither helpful nor memorable. Acronym: APUD (11 Nov 1997) |
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| APUD cell | <pathology> A group of apparently unrelated endocrine cells found throughout the body which have a number of similar characteristics and which make a number of hormones with similar structures (including serotonin, epinephrine, dopamine, neurotensin, and norepinephrine. See: Amine Precursor Uptake and Decarboxylation. (10 Jan 1998) |
| apud cells | Cells derived from primitive cell types in the neural crest. During ontogeny they migrate to the foregut and specific locations of the neuroendocrine system. Properly located these cells form part of the normal hormone producing tissues of the neuroendocrine system. If misdirected these cells may become hyperplastic, adenomatous, or malignant (cf. Apudoma). (12 Dec 1998) |
| apudoma | <oncology, tumour> A tumour composed of APUD cells and which secretes one or more hormones or amines. (09 Oct 1997) |