Medical Dictionary

platelet–activating factor

noun plate·let–ac·ti·vat·ing factor \-ˌak-tə-ˌvāt-iŋ-\

Medical Definition of PLATELET-ACTIVATING FACTOR

:  phospholipid that is produced especially by mast cells and basophils, causes the aggregation of blood platelets and the release of blood-platelet substances (as histamine or serotonin), and is a mediator of inflammation (as in asthma)—abbreviation PAF

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