hyaluronidase

noun hy·al·uron·i·dase \-ˈrä-nə-ˌdās, -ˌdāz\

Definition of HYALURONIDASE

: a mucolytic enzyme that facilitates the spread of fluids through tissues by lowering the viscosity of hyaluronic acid

Origin of HYALURONIDASE

International Scientific Vocabulary, from hyaluronic (acid) + -idase (as in glucosidase)

First Known Use: 1940

Medical Dictionary

hyaluronidase

noun hy·al·uron·i·dase \-ˈrän-ə-ˌdās, -ˌdāz\

Medical Definition of HYALURONIDASE

: a mucolytic enzyme that splits and lowers the viscosity of hyaluronic acid facilitating the spreading of fluid through tissues either advantageously (as in the absorption of drugs) or disadvantageously (as in the dissemination of infection), that occurs in many normal tissues, in malignant growths, in invasive bacteria, and in certain venoms, and that is used especially to aid in the dispersion of fluids (as local anesthetics) injected subcutaneously for therapeutic purposes—called also spreading factor