axoplasms
|ax-o-plasm|
/ˈæk.səˌplæzəm/
(axoplasm)
cytoplasm inside an axon
Etymology
'axoplasm' originates from New Latin/modern scientific coinage, ultimately from Greek elements: Greek 'axōn' meaning 'axis' or 'axle' and Greek 'plasma' meaning 'something formed' or 'mold.'
'axoplasm' developed as a compound from the combining form 'axo-' (from Greek 'axōn') and 'plasm' (from Greek 'plasma') in scientific usage, becoming established in English anatomical and physiological literature in the late 19th to early 20th century.
Initially formed as a technical compound referring to 'the formed substance of an axis (axon),' it came to be used specifically for 'the cytoplasmic contents of an axon' in modern neurobiology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'axoplasm'.
Axoplasms were examined under the electron microscope to study axonal transport.
Noun 2
the cytoplasm within axons; the intracellular substance of an axon containing organelles (e.g., mitochondria), cytoskeletal elements, and soluble factors involved in axonal transport.
Axoplasms contain microtubules and molecular motors that facilitate long-distance transport along the axon.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 16:18