Definition

A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps the body respond to stress by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels. It is also known as adrenaline and is used in medicine to treat severe allergic reactions and other conditions.

Example

The doctor administered epinephrine to the patient experiencing a severe allergic reaction.

Conversation

Did you know that epinephrine can be life-saving in emergencies?

Really? I thought it was just for allergies or something.

Yeah, it helps with severe allergic reactions and even heart issues.

That's fascinating! I should learn more about how it works.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Epinephrine is formed from "epi-" (meaning upon or above) and "nephros" (meaning kidney in Greek). The word refers to a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys.

Memory Tip

Think of 'upon' ('epi-') the 'kidneys' ('nephros') to remember that epinephrine is a hormone produced by glands located above the kidneys.

Visually Confused Words