How Do You Spell VASOCONSTRICTOR?

Pronunciation: [vˈasəkˌɒnstɹɪktə] (IPA)

Vasoconstrictor is a medical term used to describe a substance that narrows blood vessels and increases blood pressure. The word is spelled phonetically as /veɪzəʊkənˈstrɪktə/, with four syllables and a mixture of vowel sounds. The "v" sound at the beginning of the word is followed by the "a" sound, then the "s" sound, which is pronounced as "z" because of the following "o." The word then ends with "constrictor," which is pronounced as two distinct syllables, "con" and "strictor."

VASOCONSTRICTOR Meaning and Definition

1. A vasoconstrictor refers to a substance or agent that causes contraction or narrowing of blood vessels, leading to a decrease in their diameter. This constriction occurs primarily in the smooth muscle present in the walls of the blood vessels, resulting in a reduction of blood flow through the affected vessels. Vasoconstrictors can act on various types of blood vessels, including arteries, arterioles, and veins.

   This mechanism of action is typically initiated by the binding of the vasoconstrictor to specific receptor sites on the blood vessel walls. Upon interaction with these receptors, vasoconstrictors trigger biochemical processes that ultimately cause the involuntary contraction of the smooth muscle cells surrounding the blood vessels.

   The physiological effects of vasoconstriction vary depending on the location and extent of blood vessel constriction. As blood flow decreases due to the narrowed vessels, it can lead to increased resistance against the blood flow, elevated blood pressure, and reduced delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. Vasoconstrictors are commonly employed in medical practice for their therapeutic benefits, such as controlling bleeding, reducing congestion, and treating conditions like nasal congestion, migraines, or low blood pressure.

   In summary, vasoconstrictors are substances that elicit constriction of blood vessels by acting on their smooth muscle cells, resulting in a decrease in blood flow and alterations in blood pressure.

2. An agent which causes narrowing of the blood-vessels; a nerve, stimulation of which causes vascular constriction.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for VASOCONSTRICTOR

• casoconstrictor
• basoconstrictor
• gasoconstrictor
• fasoconstrictor
• vzsoconstrictor
• vssoconstrictor
• vwsoconstrictor
• vqsoconstrictor
• vaaoconstrictor
• vazoconstrictor
• vaxoconstrictor
• vadoconstrictor
• vaeoconstrictor
• vawoconstrictor
• vasiconstrictor
• vaskconstrictor
• vaslconstrictor
• vaspconstrictor
• vas0constrictor
• vasoconstrrictor

Etymology of VASOCONSTRICTOR

The word "vasoconstrictor" is derived from two main roots: "vaso-" and "constrictor".

1. "Vaso-" comes from the Latin word "vasum", meaning "vessel" or "tube". It is related to the Latin word "vasculum", which specifically refers to "small blood vessels". This root is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to blood vessels.

2. "Constrictor" comes from the Latin verb "constringere", which means "to bind tightly" or "to compress". It is derived from the prefix "con-" (meaning "together" or "with") and the word "stringere" (meaning "to draw tight" or "to tie"). In the context of "vasoconstrictor", the term refers to a substance that causes the narrowing or constriction of blood vessels.

Similar spelling words for VASOCONSTRICTOR

• vasoconstrictive,
• vasoconstriction.

Plural form of VASOCONSTRICTOR is VASOCONSTRICTORS