| free nerve endings | A form of peripheral ending of sensory nerve fibres in which the terminal filaments end freely in the tissue. Synonym: terminationes nervorum liberae. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| nerve endings | Specialised terminations of peripheral neurons. Nerve endings include neuroeffector junction(s) by which neurons activate target organs and sensory receptors (see receptors, sensory) which transduce information from the various sensory modalities and send it centrally in the nervous system. Presynaptic nerve endings are presynaptic terminals. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| grape endings | An autodescriptive term applied to synaptic terminals at the ends of short, stalklike axon branches. (05 Mar 2000) |
| synaptic endings | The somewhat enlarged, often club-shaped endings by which axons make synaptic contacts with other nerve cells or with effector cells (muscle or gland cells). As isolated, by homogenizing brain or spinal cord, they contain acetylcholine and the related enzymes. Terminals contain neurotransmitters of various kinds, sometimes more than one. These can be demonstrated by chemical analysis and immunocytochemical methods. See: synapse. Synonym: axonal terminal boutons, end-feet, neuropodia, pieds terminaux, synaptic boutons, synaptic endings, synaptic terminals, terminal boutons, bouton terminaux. (05 Mar 2000) |
| communicating branches of auriculotemporal nerve to facial nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Branches conveying fibres from the auriculotemporal nerve to the facial nerve. Synonym: rami communicantes nervi auriculotemporalis cum nervo faciali. (05 Mar 2000) |
| communicating branches of lingual nerve to hypoglossal nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Communicating branches between the lingual nerve (from mandibular nerve) and hypoglossal nerve forming a plexus on the hypoglossus muscle. Synonym: rami communicantes nervi lingualis cum nervo hypoglosso. (05 Mar 2000) |
| communicating branch of facial nerve with glossopharyngeal nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A small branch from the digastric branch of the facial nerve to the glossopharyngeal nerve. Synonym: ramus communicans cum nervo glossopharyngeo, Haller's ansa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| communicating branch of glossopharyngeal nerve with auricular branch of vagus nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A small branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve which joins the auricular branch of the vagus, conveying tactile fibres. Synonym: ramus communicans cum nervo glossopharyngeo, ramus communicans nervi glossopharyngei cum ramo auriculari nervi vagalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| communicating branch of lacrimal nerve with zygomatic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Nerve branch by which postsynaptic parasympathetic (secretomotor) fibres from the pterygopalatine ganglion are transferred from the zygomatic nerve to the lacrimal nerve (heretofore purely sensory) for distribution to the lacrimal gland. Synonym: ramus communicans nervi lacrimalis cum nervo zygomatico. (05 Mar 2000) |
| communicating branch of median nerve with ulnar nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Branch of median nerve joining the ulnar nerve in the hand; the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve may also communicate with the ulnar nerve in the proximal forearm. Synonym: ramus communicans nervi mediani cum nervo ulnari. (05 Mar 2000) |
| communicating branch of superior laryngeal nerve with recurrent laryngeal nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Branch of internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve communicating with the recurrent laryngeal nerve in the wall of the laryngopharynx supplying sensory fibres to the latter. Synonym: ramus communicans nervi laryngei recurrentis cum ramo laryngeo interno, ramus communicans nervi laryngei superioris cum nervo laryngeo recurrenti, Galen's anastomosis, Galen's nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bacteria-free stage of bacterial endocarditis | Endocarditis described prior to the antibiotic era and presumably due to spontaneous healing of the bacterial vegetations. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carbon dioxide-free water | Purified water that has been boiled vigorously for 5 minutes or more. (05 Mar 2000) |
| radical, free | In biochemistry, it is a group of atoms bonded together into an entity that is extremely reactive and shortlived. (a free radical is not a political extremist on parole.) (12 Dec 1998) |
| germ-free animal | An animal which has no microorganisms whatsoever living in or on it. An animal which was born and raised in an isolated environment with no microorganisms in it, such as within a germ-free isolator. (09 Oct 1997) |
| germ-free isolator | A chamber which has absolutely no microorganisms whatsoever living in it, where a germ-free animal can be born and raised. An artificial barrier surrounding a living facility for germ-free animals, which keeps out all microorganisms. (09 Oct 1997) |