Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A site in the autonomic nervous system in which excitatory responses occur when adrenergic agents, such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, are released. Activation of alpha-receptors causes various physiological reactions, including the stimulation of associated muscles and the constriction of blood vessels.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word alpha-receptor.
Examples
-
I was convinced that the histamine antagonists of the day were analogous to the alpha-receptor antagonists and that the equivalent of a beta-receptor antagonist was needed to block, for example, histamine-stimulated acid secretion.
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.