muscarinic
|mus-ca-rin-ic|
/ˌmʌskəˈrɪnɪk/
relating to muscarine / acting on muscarinic receptors
Etymology
'muscarinic' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'muscarine', where 'muscarine' derived from New Latin 'Amanita muscaria' (the fly agaric) and ultimately from Latin 'musca' meaning 'fly', and the suffix '-ic' is an adjectival ending.
'muscarinic' changed from the New Latin word 'muscarine' plus the adjectival suffix '-ic' and entered English (especially pharmacological usage) in the 20th century to describe receptors or effects like those produced by muscarine.
Initially it meant 'pertaining to muscarine (the alkaloid)'; over time it evolved to mean 'relating to muscarinic receptors or their actions' in pharmacology and physiology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or denoting receptors, actions, or effects produced by the alkaloid muscarine (or by acetylcholine at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors); typically refers to sites stimulated by muscarine and blocked by atropine.
Muscarinic receptors mediate many parasympathetic nervous system responses.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/23 12:12