The word "excitatory autacoid" is pronounced /ɪkˈsʌɪtəˌtɔɪd ɔːtəˈkɔɪd/ and refers to a chemical that acts as a signaling molecule in the body. The spelling of the word follows the pronunciation, with each syllable clearly defined. The first syllable, "ex-ci-ta-tor-y," emphasizes the stress on the first and third syllables. The second syllable, "au-ta-coid," is spelled phonetically, with the stress on the second syllable. The word is commonly used in the field of pharmacology to describe the effects of certain drugs on the body.
Excitatory autacoids are naturally occurring substances that function as signaling molecules within the body to promote various physiological and cellular responses. Autacoids are derived from tissues and cells, exerting a local effect on nearby cells or tissues, rather than being carried away through the bloodstream to distant sites.
The term "excitatory" refers to its ability to stimulate or enhance the activity of target cells. In essence, excitatory autacoids facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses and additional processes that lead to physiological excitation and increased activity. Their effects can be seen in various systems of the body, including the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and immune system.
Excitatory autacoids include a diverse range of compounds, such as histamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, which act as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, or paracrine signaling molecules. These autacoids bind to specific receptors on target cells, triggering a cascade of events that elicit excitatory responses. This may involve the opening of ion channels, activation of intracellular pathways, or modulation of gene expression.
The effects of excitatory autacoids can have both beneficial and detrimental consequences depending on the context. They play crucial roles in processes like synaptic transmission, regulating blood pressure, immune responses, and inflammation. However, dysregulation or overproduction of excitatory autacoids can contribute to conditions such as allergies, asthma, migraines, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Understanding the role and function of excitatory autacoids is important for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting their receptors or production, aiming to modulate their effects for improved health outcomes.
Hormone.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "excitatory autacoid" does not have a distinct etymology as it is a combination of two terms: "excitatory" and "autacoid".
1. Excitatory: The term "excitatory" is derived from the Latin word "excitare", which means "to excite" or "to arouse". In the context of biology and neurophysiology, it refers to substances or processes that stimulate nerve cells and promote activity in the central nervous system.
2. Autacoid: The term "autacoid" comes from the Greek word "autos", meaning "self", and "akos", meaning "remedy" or "medicine". It was originally coined by the physiologist Ernst von Wolf and refers to local chemical substances that act as mediators within the body, exerting their effects near their site of synthesis.