/an'jee oh ten"sin/ , n. Biochem.
any of three oligopeptides occurring in plasma, an inactive form (angiotensin I) and two varieties (angiotensin II and angiotensin III) that elevate blood pressure and stimulate the adrenal cortex to secrete aldosterone.
[ 1960-65; prob. ANGIO(TONIN) + (HYPER)TENSIN, earlier names for the substances ]