atrial natriuretic factor: Meaning and Definition of

a'trial na'triuret'ic fac"tor

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. any of several peptide hormones that are released by the atria of the heart in response to an abnormal increase in blood volume and that modulate blood pressure and the excretion of sodium, potassium, and water. Abbr: ANF&hasp; Also called
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.