| secretory carcinoma | <tumour> Carcinoma of the breast with pale-staining cells showing prominent secretory activity, as seen in pregnancy and lactation, but found mostly in children. Synonym: juvenile carcinoma. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| secretory cell | <biology> Cells specialised for secretion, usually epithelial. Those that secrete proteins characteristically have well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, whereas conspicuous smooth endoplasmic reticulum is typical of cells that secrete lipid or lipid derived products (e.g. Steroids). (18 Nov 1997) |
| secretory component | <physiology> A glycoprotein found in a variety of external secretions (tears, bile, colostrum) usually complexed to secreted polymeric immunoglobulins (IgA or, less frequently IgM). It is derived, by proteolytic cleavage, from the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (receptors, polymeric immunoglobulin) and probably functions to protect the immunoglobulins from proteolysis in the secretions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| secretory component of IgA | <immunology, protein> A polypeptide chain of about 60 kD that aids secretion of the IgA, a portion of the IgA receptor on the plasmalemma of the inner side of the epithelial cells lining the gut, which is proteolysed when the IgA receptor complex has travelled through the cell after receptor mediated endocytosis at the inner face, to the outer (luminal) face. (18 Nov 1997) |
| secretory cyst | A cyst resulting from some obstruction to the excretory duct of a gland. Synonym: distention cyst, secretory cyst. (05 Mar 2000) |
| secretory duct | A type of intralobular duct found in some salivary glands that modifies the secretory product; it derives its name from extensive infolding of the basal membrane. Synonym: salivary duct, secretory duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| secretory granule | A membrane-bound particle, usually protein, formed in the granular endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| secretory immunoglobulin | Usually IgA but may be IgM linked to a secretory component and found in mucous secretions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| secretory immunoglobulin A | A subclass of IgA that is found primarily in secretions such as tears and colostrum. This form of IgA is protected from proteolytic degradation by the presence of a secretory component. (05 Mar 2000) |
| secretory nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A nerve conveying impulses that excite functional activity in a gland. Synonym: secretomotor nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| secretory protein | <protein> In eukaryotes, proteins synthesised on rough endoplasmic reticulum and destined for export. Nearly all proteins secreted from cells are glycosylated (in the Golgi apparatus, although there are exceptions (albumin). In prokaryotes, secreted proteins may be synthesised on ribosomes associated with the plasma membrane or exported post translation. (18 Nov 1997) |
| secretory rate | The amount of a substance secreted by cells or by a specific organ or organism over a given period of time; usually applies to those substances which are formed by glandular tissues and are released by them into biological fluids, e.g., secretory rate of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex, secretory rate of gastric acid by the gastric mucosa. (12 Dec 1998) |
| secretory vesicle | <cell biology> Membrane bounded vesicle derived from the Golgi apparatus and containing material that is to be released from the cell. The contents may be densely packed, often in an inactive precursor form (zymogen). (18 Nov 1997) |
| steroid secretory rate | The rate of glandular secretion of a given steroid, usually expressed as milligrams per day; does not include any amount of the steroid that might be formed extraglandularly. (05 Mar 2000) |
| IgA, secretory | The principle ig found in exocrine secretions such as milk, respiratory and intestinal mucin, saliva and tears. It is composed of two to four molecules of 7s IgA and one molecule each of j chain and secretory component (sc), also called secretory piece. Molecular weight appr. 400,000. (12 Dec 1998) |