axonemal
|ax-o-ne-mal|
/ˌæk.səˈniː.məl/
relating to the axoneme
Etymology
'axonemal' originates from New Latin/Modern Latin, specifically the word 'axonema', where 'axōn' (Greek) meant 'axis' and the element '-ema/-eme' indicated a resultant structure.
'axonemal' changed from the Modern Latin word 'axonema' (used in scientific descriptions of cell structures) and was formed in English/Scientific Latin by adding the adjectival suffix '-al' to produce 'axonemal'.
Initially it referred to the 'axis-like structure' or 'core structure' (the axoneme) of cilia and flagella; over time the adjective 'axonemal' came to mean more specifically 'relating to the axoneme (the central core of a cilium or flagellum)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of an axoneme, the central structural core of a cilium or flagellum.
Axonemal dynein is a motor protein complex responsible for generating the sliding movements between microtubule doublets in cilia and flagella.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 11:24