lipase /lī″pās, lip″ās/ [Gk, lipos, fat; Fr, diastase, enzyme] , any of several enzymes produced by the organs of the digestive system that catalyze the breakdown of lipids through the hydrolysis of the linkages between fatty acids and glycerol in triglycerides and phospholipids. Normal blood levels of lipase range from 0 to 110 U/L. See also fat, fatty acid, glycerol, phospholipid, triglyceride.
