depolarization

noun de·po·lar·i·za·tion \ (ˌ)dē-ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of depolarization

1 : the process of depolarizing something or the state of being depolarized

2 physiology : loss of the difference in charge between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane of a muscle or nerve cell due to a change in permeability and migration of sodium ions to the interior

… partial depolarization of the ventricular tissue resulting from rapid conduction of the electrical impulse from the atrium to the ventricle …
—Mark S. Link

First Known Use of depolarization

circa 1814

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

depolarization

noun de·po·lar·iza·tion

variants: or British depolarisation play \(ˌ)dē-ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən\

medical Definition of depolarization

: loss of polarization; especially : loss of the difference in charge between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane of a muscle or nerve cell due to a change in permeability and migration of sodium ions to the interior

… partial depolarization of the ventricular tissue resulting from rapid conduction of the electrical impulse from the atrium to the ventricle …
—Mark S. Link, The New England Journal of Medicine, 11 Oct. 2012