Definition

A type of protein that is usually found in a developing fetus and can appear in adults under certain medical conditions, such as liver disease or cancer.

Example

Doctors often test for fetoprotein levels to help diagnose liver diseases or certain types of cancer.

Conversation

Have you heard about fetoprotein tests?

Yeah, I think they check for certain conditions in pregnancy, right?

Exactly! They can also indicate issues in adults sometimes.

That's interesting; I didn't know it had adult implications too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Fetoprotein is formed from "feto-" (from Latin "fetus", meaning offspring or young one) and "protein" (from Greek "proteios", meaning primary or of first importance). The term refers to a type of protein that is associated with the fetus, highlighting its significance in fetal development.

Memory Tip

Think of 'fetus' as the young one and 'protein' as something of primary importance — fetoprotein is a crucial protein related to the development of the fetus.

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