Definition of Somatropin

Somatropin: Growth hormone made by the pituitary gland or a synthetic version of that hormone. Naturally occurring somatropin is a polypeptide containing 191 amino acids. It is produced specifically by the anterior pituitary, the front section of the gland, and acts by stimulating the release of another hormone called somatomedin by the liver, thereby causing growth. Somatropin is also known as somatotropin.

Somatropin is given to children with pituitary dwarfism (short stature due to underfunction of the anterior pituitary) to help them grow.