The prostanoids are a family of lipid mediators generated by the action of cyclooxygenase
on a 20-carbon unsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid. Prostanoids are generated widely in
response to diverse stimuli and, acting in a paracrine or autocrine manner, play important
roles in normal physiology and disease. This review summarizes the current knowledge on
prostanoid generation and the roles of individual mediators, their biosynthetic pathways, and
their receptors in health and disease.