Neurotransmission

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌnʊɹoʊtɹænzˈmɪʃən/

Definitions

1. The mechanism involving the transfer of signals through chemical substances that enable communication between nerve cells is crucial for numerous physiological activities
2. The method by which nerve cells convey information via the release and uptake of chemical messengers plays a vital role in various bodily responses
3. The process by which chemical signals are released and received by nerve cells ensures efficient communication throughout the nervous system for regulating functions and responses

Etymology: Nerves were once thought to be tendons. The Ancient Greek "neûron" originally meant a sinew or cord, the tough fibrous tissue that joins muscle to bone, and only later came to refer to the nerves that carry signals through the body. The root traces back to a Proto-Indo-European form meaning something like sinew or tendon, which is why the same ancient stem gave English "nerve" and, eventually, the modern scientific vocabulary built on it. "Neurotransmission" is a modern compound, formed in English from the combining form "neuro-", drawn from Greek "neûron", and "transmission", from the Latin verb "transmittere", meaning to send across. Put together, the term describes the sending of messages across the gap between nerve cells. Its parts were both long established in English before they were joined, so the word is a technical coinage rather than an ancient one.

Synonyms: nerve transmission