muscle relaxant

muscle relaxant
an agent that reduces tension in voluntary muscles. Drugs such as baclofen, dantrolene, and diazepam are used to relieve skeletal muscular spasms in various spastic conditions, parkinsonism, and tetanus. The drugs used to relax voluntary muscles during the administration of anaesthetics in surgical operations act by blocking the transmission of impulses at neuromuscular junctions. Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, e.g. atracurium besilate, gallamine, and pancuronium, bind to receptor sites normally occupied by acetylcholine; depolarizing muscle relaxants, e.g. suxamethonium, mimic the action of acetylcholine but depolarization is prolonged.

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an agent that specifically aids in reducing muscle tension, as those acting at the polysynaptic neurons of motor nerves (e.g., meprobamate) or at the neuromuscular junction (curare and related compounds); see also neuromuscular blocking agent, under agent.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Muscle relaxant — This article refers to skeletal muscle relaxants. For information on smooth muscle relaxants, see Antispasmodic. A muscle relaxant is a drug which affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone. It may be used to alleviate… …   Wikipedia

  • muscle relaxant — noun a drug that reduces muscle contractility by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses or by decreasing the excitability of the motor end plate or by other actions • Hypernyms: ↑relaxant • Hyponyms: ↑benzodiazepine, ↑cyclobenzaprine,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • muscle relaxant — noun Any drug which affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone …   Wiktionary

  • muscle relaxant — an agent that reduces tension in voluntary muscles. Drugs such as baclofen, dantrolene, and diazepam are used to relieve skeletal muscular spasms in various spastic conditions, parkinsonism, and tetanus. The drugs used to relax voluntary muscles… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Relaxant — Something that relaxes, relieves, reduces tension. For example, a muscle relaxant is often administered during abdominal surgery to relax the diaphragm and keep it from moving during the surgery. * * * 1. Relaxing; causing relaxation; reducing… …   Medical dictionary

  • relaxant — n. a muscle relaxant * * * [rɪ læksənt] a muscle relaxant …   Combinatory dictionary

  • relaxant — n. an agent that reduces tension and strain, particularly in muscles (see muscle relaxant) …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Релаксант Мышечный (Muscle Relaxant) — вещество, которое расслабляет скелетные мышцы. К лекарственным веществам, обладающим такой способностью, относятся дантролен и диазепам; они применяются для устранения спазмов скелетных мышц при различных спастических проявлениях, паркинсонизме и …   Медицинские термины

  • relaxant — /ri lak seuhnt/, adj. 1. of, pertaining to, or causing a relaxation. n. 2. Pharm. a drug that relaxes, esp. one that lessens strain in muscle. [1765 75; < L relaxant (s. of relaxans), prp. of relaxare. See RELAX, ANT] * * * …   Universalium

  • relaxant — re•lax•ant [[t]rɪˈlæk sənt[/t]] adj. 1) of, pertaining to, or causing relaxation 2) pha a drug that relaxes, esp. one that lessens strain in muscle …   From formal English to slang

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