cholesterol, cholesterin

an animal sterol that is normally synthesized by the liver; the most abundant steroid in animal tissues

• HDL cholesterol — the cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins; the `good' cholesterol; a high level in the blood is thought to lower the risk of coronary artery disease
• LDL cholesterol — the cholesterol in low-density lipoproteins; the `bad' cholesterol; a high level in the blood is thought to be related to various pathogenic conditions

• sterol, steroid alcohol — any of a group of natural steroid alcohols derived from plants or animals; they are waxy insoluble substances