Physiology · Cardiovascular System · Medium
Bradykinin
Meaning: A peptide that dilates blood vessels, increases permeability and stimulates pain fibres in inflammation.
In practice: ACE inhibitors can cause a dry cough because bradykinin is broken down more slowly.
Word parts
- brady- means slow
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related physiology words.
Which word means: Unmineralised organic bone matrix laid down by bone-forming cells before it calcifies.
Answer: Osteoid
Which word means: The narrowing of blood vessels caused by contraction of the smooth muscle in their walls.
Answer: Vasoconstriction
Words like bradykinin come up in the daily game
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