CHOLINERGIC FIBERS Meaning and
Definition
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Cholinergic fibers refer to the nerve fibers within the body that release or respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger that plays an important role in the transmission of signals between nerve cells, known as neurons. These fibers are part of the cholinergic system, which is one of the main divisions of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for controlling involuntary bodily functions.
Cholinergic fibers are found throughout various regions of the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, as well as in the peripheral nervous system, connecting to various organs and tissues. These fibers can be classified into two main types based on their function: preganglionic and postganglionic.
Preganglionic cholinergic fibers transmit signals from the central nervous system to the autonomic ganglia, specialized clusters of nerve cells where information is processed and transferred. Postganglionic cholinergic fibers, on the other hand, continue the transmission of nerve impulses from the ganglia to their target organs or tissues, such as smooth muscle, glands, or the heart.
The release of acetylcholine by cholinergic fibers typically leads to the activation of downstream receptors, known as cholinergic receptors, which are located on the surface of target cells. This activation can result in diverse physiological effects, such as muscle contraction, glandular secretion, regulation of blood pressure, and control of heart rate, among others. Consequently, cholinergic fibers are crucial for the proper functioning of numerous bodily processes and form an essential part of the autonomic nervous system.
Common Misspellings for CHOLINERGIC FIBERS
- xholinergic fibers
- vholinergic fibers
- fholinergic fibers
- dholinergic fibers
- cgolinergic fibers
- cbolinergic fibers
- cnolinergic fibers
- cjolinergic fibers
- cuolinergic fibers
- cyolinergic fibers
- chilinergic fibers
- chklinergic fibers
- chllinergic fibers
- chplinergic fibers
- ch0linergic fibers
- ch9linergic fibers
- chokinergic fibers
- chopinergic fibers
- chooinergic fibers
- cholunergic fibers
Etymology of CHOLINERGIC FIBERS
The term "cholinergic" is derived from the root word "choline", which refers to a compound that plays a vital role in the synthesis of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. The suffix "-ergic" is derived from the Greek word "ergon", meaning work or action, and is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate something related to a particular compound or substance.
The term "fibers" refers to the nerve fibers that transmit signals in the nervous system. In the context of cholinergic fibers, it specifically refers to the nerve fibers that release acetylcholine as the primary neurotransmitter.
Therefore, "cholinergic fibers" can be understood as nerve fibers that release or are associated with acetylcholine.
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