ELECTROCONTRACTILITY Meaning and
Definition
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Electrocontractility refers to the ability of muscles or muscular tissues to contract in response to electrical stimulation. It is a physiological phenomenon observed in numerous organisms, including humans.
During normal muscle function, electrical impulses generated by the nervous system trigger the contraction of muscle fibers, enabling voluntary movement and other physiological processes. However, in certain situations, such as paralysis or muscle weakness due to injury or disease, the native electrical signals may be impaired or absent, leading to a loss of muscle function. Electrocontractility can be utilized to overcome this limitation by artificially introducing electrical stimuli to the affected muscle or tissue.
Electrical stimulation can be achieved through various methods, including the use of electrodes placed on the skin surface or implanted directly into muscle tissue. These electrodes deliver controlled electrical currents that replicate the natural patterns of electrical signals, causing the muscle to contract and generate movement.
Electrocontractility has a wide range of applications in the field of medicine and rehabilitation. It is commonly used in therapies for conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, or neuromuscular disorders to retrain muscle function, improve strength, or aid in the recovery process. Additionally, electrocontractility has been employed in research settings to study muscular responses and gain insights into the mechanisms underlying muscle contraction and physiology.
Overall, electrocontractility refers to the ability of muscles to contract in response to electrical stimulation and plays a crucial role in restoring or enhancing muscle function for therapeutic purposes.
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The power of contraction of muscular tissue in response to an electrical stimulus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ELECTROCONTRACTILITY
- wlectrocontractility
- slectrocontractility
- dlectrocontractility
- rlectrocontractility
- 4lectrocontractility
- 3lectrocontractility
- ekectrocontractility
- epectrocontractility
- eoectrocontractility
- elwctrocontractility
- elsctrocontractility
- eldctrocontractility
- elrctrocontractility
- el4ctrocontractility
- el3ctrocontractility
- elextrocontractility
- elevtrocontractility
- eleftrocontractility
- eledtrocontractility
- elecrrocontractility
Etymology of ELECTROCONTRACTILITY
The word "electrocontractility" is composed of two main parts: "electro-" and "contractility".
1. "Electro-" is derived from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning "amber" or "amber-like substance". In ancient times, it was observed that rubbing amber produced a static charge, hence the name "ēlektron". Over time, the term "electro-" came to represent electricity in general.
2. "Contractility" stems from the Latin word "contractilis", which means "capable of contraction". It is derived from the Latin verb "contrahere", meaning "to draw together" or "to contract".
Combining these components, "electrocontractility" refers to the ability to contract or draw together under the influence of electricity.
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