MICRODIALYSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Microdialysis is a scientific technique used in biological and medical research to measure the chemical and physiological properties of the extracellular fluid in living tissues. The method involves the insertion of a probe, called a microdialysis probe, into the tissue of interest. The probe consists of a semipermeable membrane that allows small molecules to pass through it while retaining larger molecules and cells. This membrane is connected to a perfusion system that delivers and retrieves a fluid, known as the perfusate, through the probe.
As the perfusate flows through the probe, it exchanges molecules with the surrounding extracellular fluid through diffusion. This process enables the collection of small molecules, such as neurotransmitters, metabolites, and drugs, from the tissue. Additionally, the concentrations of various analytes in the extracellular fluid can be continuously monitored by analyzing the perfusate samples.
Microdialysis provides researchers with a real-time and in vivo means of studying the chemical composition and metabolic activity within tissues. It enables them to investigate neurochemical processes, drug distribution and metabolism, and the physiological responses to different stimuli. By collecting samples over time, microdialysis allows for dynamic monitoring of changes in analyte concentrations, providing valuable insights into the kinetics and regulatory mechanisms of these molecules within living systems.
Common Misspellings for MICRODIALYSIS
- nicrodialysis
- kicrodialysis
- jicrodialysis
- mucrodialysis
- mjcrodialysis
- mkcrodialysis
- mocrodialysis
- m9crodialysis
- m8crodialysis
- mixrodialysis
- mivrodialysis
- mifrodialysis
- midrodialysis
- miceodialysis
- micdodialysis
- micfodialysis
- mictodialysis
- mic5odialysis
- mic4odialysis
- micridialysis
Etymology of MICRODIALYSIS
The word "microdialysis" has a relatively straightforward etymology.
The term is a compound word consisting of two parts: "micro-" and "dialysis".
- The prefix "micro-" is derived from the Greek word "mikros", meaning small. It is commonly used in English to denote something tiny or at a microscopic scale.
- "Dialysis" comes from the Greek word "dialusis", which means dissolution or separation. In biology and medicine, it refers to the process of separating substances in a solution based on their molecular size by using a semipermeable membrane.
Therefore, when combined, "microdialysis" literally means the use of a small-scale technique or method for separating substances using a semipermeable membrane.
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