The myogenic theory proposes that muscles can contract and create their own electrical impulses, without the need for outside stimulation. The spelling of "myogenic" is pronounced /maɪəʊˈdʒɛnɪk/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The "myo-" prefix means "muscle," while "-genic" means "producing." This theory has been particularly applicable to the heart, as it has been shown that the heart's contractions are generated by specialized cells within the heart itself, rather than by signals from the nervous system.
The myogenic theory is a concept in biology that pertains to the initiation and control of muscle contractions by inherent properties of the muscle cells themselves, without the need for external neural signals. It is commonly used to explain rhythmic contractions in certain types of muscles, most notably in the smooth muscles found in the walls of various organs and blood vessels.
According to this theory, the muscle cells possess an inherent ability to generate and propagate electrical impulses, known as action potentials, which subsequently trigger muscle contractions. These action potentials are generated by specialized proteins and ion channels present in the cell membranes of the muscle cells. The myogenic theory suggests that these muscles possess an intrinsic pacemaker system that is responsible for generating rhythmic contractions without any direct input from the nervous system.
In smooth muscles, which lack the extensive innervation seen in skeletal muscles, the myogenic theory provides a plausible mechanism for their spontaneous and autonomous contractile activity. For example, smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels can respond to changes in pressure by contracting or relaxing to maintain blood flow regulation. The myogenic theory helps to explain how this process can be achieved without neural input, as these muscles possess the ability to generate and propagate action potentials that regulate their contractile behavior.
In summary, the myogenic theory is a biological concept that describes the ability of certain muscle cells to generate electrical impulses and initiate muscle contractions without direct neural control.
The theory that the cardiac movements are due mainly to stimuli originating in the heart muscle itself, and that the heart does not act solely in response to nerve stimulation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "myogenic" is derived from two Greek roots: "myo", meaning muscle, and "gen", meaning produce or generate.
The term "myogenic theory" refers to a concept in biology and physiology that explains the self-generating ability of muscles to contract without requiring external nerve signals. It suggests that the muscle cells (myocytes) themselves generate and regulate the electrical impulses that stimulate muscle contraction.
So, the etymology of the word "myogenic theory" essentially comes from the combination of the Greek roots "myo" and "gen", which together imply the generation or production of muscle activity.