saltatory conduction (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/sælˈtɔːrəˌtɔːri kənˈdʌkʃən/

Meaning and Usage

"Saltatory conduction" refers to the process by which electrical impulses are transmitted along myelinated axons in the nervous system. In this mode of conduction, action potentials "jump" from one node of Ranvier to another, which speeds up the signal transmission compared to continuous conduction that occurs in unmyelinated axons. Saltatory conduction is a fundamental mechanism for efficient nervous system functioning, ensuring rapid communication between neurons.

Frequency of Use

This term is more commonly used in scientific and medical contexts, particularly in discussions related to neuroscience, physiology, and biology. It is less frequent in everyday conversation and more prevalent in written academic literature.

Example Sentences

1. Saltatory conduction allows for faster transmission of nerve impulses, which is crucial for quick reflex actions.

2. La conducción saltatoria permite una transmisión más rápida de los impulsos nerviosos, lo cual es crucial para acciones reflejas rápidas.

3. Understanding saltatory conduction is essential for students studying neurophysiology.

4. Comprender la conducción saltatoria es esencial para los estudiantes que estudian neurofisiología.

5. Damage to the myelin sheath can impair saltatory conduction and lead to neurological disorders.

6. El daño a la vaina de mielina puede afectar la conducción saltatoria y llevar a trastornos neurológicos.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "saltatory conduction" does not have common idiomatic expressions due to its highly specific context, it is often discussed in terms of related concepts in neuroscience. Here are some related idiomatic expressions within that field:

1. "Jumping to conclusions" - This phrase can relate back to the concept of "jumping" in saltatory conduction, indicating a hasty or premature assumption.
2. Saltar a conclusiones puede ser peligroso en la investigación científica.

3. Jumping to conclusions can be dangerous in scientific research.

4. "Break the circuit" - Referring to an interruption in communication, similar to how damage affects saltatory conduction.

5. Un daño en la mielina puede romper el circuito de comunicación entre neuronas.

6. Damage to the myelin can break the communication circuit between neurons.

7. "Wired to react" - Indicating a quick response mechanism reminiscent of rapid nerve transmission.

8. Los seres humanos están cableados para reaccionar rápidamente ante peligros.
9. Humans are wired to react quickly to dangers.

Etymology

The term "saltatory" originates from the Latin word "saltare," meaning "to leap or jump," reflecting the jumping nature of the electrical impulses. "Conduction" comes from the Latin "conducere," meaning "to lead together."

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Leap conduction - Jump conduction

Antonyms: - Continuous conduction - Slow conduction