glycogen /glī″kəjən/ [Gk, glykys, sweet, genein, to produce] , a polysaccharide that is the major carbohydrate stored in animal cells. It is formed from repeating units of glucose and stored chiefly in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscle cells. Glycogen is depolymerized to glucose, which is released into the circulation as needed by the body. Also called animal starch, hepatin, tissue dextrin. See also glucose.
