The word "excitomotor" is spelled as /ɪksaɪtoʊˈmoʊtər/. The prefix "excito-" comes from the Latin word "excitare", meaning to awaken or stimulate. The word "motor" comes from the Latin word "motus", meaning movement. Therefore, the word "excitomotor" refers to something that wakes up or stimulates movement. It can be used to describe nerves or muscles that are involved in movement control. Despite its complex spelling, once the IPA phonetic transcription is understood, pronouncing "excitomotor" becomes a lot easier.
Excitomotor, derived from the combination of the words "excito" and "motor," refers to a biological response characterized by the activation or stimulation of motor neurons as a result of excitatory signals. The term is commonly used in the field of neuroscience and physiology to describe the connection between excitation and motor function in living organisms.
In the context of the central nervous system, excitomotor activity occurs when certain external or internal stimuli prompt the activation of sensory receptors, such as touch, sound, or light. These stimuli then travel through sensory pathways, reaching the brain and spinal cord, where they are processed and interpreted before being sent as excitatory signals to motor neurons. These motor neurons, in turn, transmit impulses or signals to the muscles, leading to a coordinated and purposeful motor response. For instance, when someone touches a hot object, the excitomotor system engages, triggering a rapid withdrawal of the hand to prevent burns.
Excitomotor mechanisms are crucial for maintaining motor coordination, balance, and voluntary movements in humans and other organisms. These processes involve intricate communication between various parts of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Dysfunction or impairment of excitomotor pathways can result in movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, where there is a disruption in the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory signals, leading to motor deficits.
In summary, excitomotor refers to the interplay between excitation and motor responses, involving sensorimotor pathways that transmit and interpret external or internal stimuli to control muscle activation and coordinated movements.
Causing or increasing the rapidity of motion.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "excitomotor" is a combination of two root words: "excito" and "motor".
The root "excito" comes from the Latin word "excitare", meaning "to arouse" or "to excite". In medical terminology, it is used to indicate something that produces stimulation or excitation.
The root "motor" is derived from the Latin word "mōtor", which means "mover". It refers to anything related to movement or motion.
Therefore, when combined, "excitomotor" refers to something that stimulates or excites movement. In medical contexts, it is often used to describe nerves, pathways, or systems that are involved in the control and regulation of movement.