Definition

A substance in the body that stores iron, mainly formed from the breakdown of hemoglobin when red blood cells are destroyed.

Example

Hemosiderin can accumulate in the liver and other organs when there is excess iron in the body.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of hemosiderin?

I think I read something about it in a science article.

Yeah, it's that pigment that stores iron in the body, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how our bodies manage iron like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hemosiderin is formed from "haemo-" (from Greek "haima", meaning blood) and "siderin" (from Greek "sideron", meaning iron). The word refers to a complex of iron that is derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin in the blood, thus relating to blood and iron.

Memory Tip

Think of 'blood' ('haemo-') and 'iron' ('siderin') coming together to remember that hemosiderin is related to iron derived from blood.

Visually Confused Words