sphingosine

noun sphin·go·sine \ˈsfiŋ-gə-ˌsēn\

Definition of SPHINGOSINE

: a long-chain unsaturated amino alcohol C₁₈H₃₇O₂N found especially in nervous tissue and cell membranes

Greek sphingos (genitive of sphinx) + English ²-ine; from riddles it posed to its first investigators

First Known Use: 1881

Medical Dictionary

noun sphin·go·sine \ˈsfiŋ-gə-ˌsēn, -sən\

: an unsaturated amino diol C₁₈H₃₇NO₂ obtained by hydrolysis of various sphingomyelins, cerebrosides, and gangliosides

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