tonicity

tonicity
1. A state of normal tension of the tissues by virtue of which the parts are kept in shape, alert, and ready to function in response to a suitable stimulus. In the case of muscle, it refers to a state of continuous activity or tension beyond that related to the physical properties; i.e., it is active resistance to stretch; in skeletal muscle it is dependent upon the efferent innervation. SYN: tonus. 2. The osmotic pressure or tension of a solution, usually relative to that of blood. SEE ALSO: isotonicity. [G. tonos, tone]

* * *

to·nic·i·ty tō-'nis-ət-ē n, pl -ties
1) the property of possessing tone esp healthy vigor of body or mind
2) TONUS (2)
3) the osmotic pressure of a solution <the cells swell and shrink with changing \tonicity of the environment>

* * *

n.
1. the normal state of slight contraction, or readiness to contract, of healthy muscle fibres.
2. the effective osmotic pressure of a solution. See hypertonic, hypotonic, osmosis.

* * *

to·nic·i·ty (to-nisґĭ-te) 1. the state of tissue tone or tension. 2. in body fluid physiology, the effective osmotic pressure equivalent.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tonicity — is a measure of blood capacity or effective osmolality in cell biology. Osmolality and osmolarity are properties of a particular solution, independent of any membrane. Tonicity is a logical measurment for complex compounds with provides immunity… …   Wikipedia

  • Tonicity — To*nic i*ty, n. (Physiol.) The state of healthy tension or partial contraction of muscle fibers while at rest; tone; tonus. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tonicity — [tō nis′ə tē] n. the quality or condition of having good or normal muscular tone …   English World dictionary

  • Tonicity-Responsive Enhancer Binding Protein — Nuclear factor of activated T cells 5, tonicity responsive Struktur von NFAT5 nach …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tonicity-Responsive-Enhancer-Binding-Protein — Nuclear factor of activated T cells 5, tonicity responsive Str …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • tonicity — noun Date: 1824 1. the property of possessing tone; especially healthy vigor of body or mind 2. muscular tonus …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tonicity — /toh nis i tee/, n. 1. tonic quality or condition. 2. the state of bodily tone. 3. Physiol. the normal elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc., by which the tone of the system is maintained. [1815 25; TONIC + ITY] * * * …   Universalium

  • tonicity — noun a) The normal presence of tone or tension in a muscle or organ; tonus b) The ability of a solution to exert an osmotic pressure upon a membrane See Also: hypertonic …   Wiktionary

  • tonicity — to·nic·i·ty || təʊ nɪsÉ™tɪ n. tension of a muscle …   English contemporary dictionary

  • tonicity — [tə(ʊ) nɪsɪti] noun 1》 muscle tone. 2》 Linguistics the pattern of tones or stress in speech. 3》 Biology osmotic pressure …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”