Physiology · Muscular System · Medium

Myoglobin

Meaning: An oxygen-binding protein in muscle cells that stores oxygen for use during activity.

In practice: Myoglobin released from damaged muscle can cause kidney injury in rhabdomyolysis.

Word parts

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Two questions on related physiology words.

Which word means: The production and release of substances from cells or glands.

Which word means: The breakdown of stored triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol to release energy.

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