microenvironment

noun

mi·​cro·​en·​vi·​ron·​ment ˌmī-krō-in-ˈvī-rən-mənt 

-ˈvī(-ə)rn-

: a small or relatively small usually distinctly specialized and effectively isolated habitat (such as a forest canopy) or environment (as of a neuron)

microenvironmental

ˌmī-krō-in-ˌvī-rən-ˈmen-tᵊl 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Patient tumor, immune, and connective tissue cells quickly form miniature tumors that retain the original microenvironment within thousands of these MOS, which can be used for testing many drug conditions. —Stephen Ibaraki, Forbes, 13 May 2022

Unlike cancers that begin in the blood, these types of cancers grow into a solid mass that produces a microenvironment of molecules, cells and structures that prevent T cells from entering into the tumor and triggering an immune response. —Gregory Allen, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2022

The sum total of the conditions inside our bodies, called the microenvironment, plays an important though dimly understood role in regulating how our cells react. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2017

The fibers create a life-like microenvironment in which the cells can function and interact with each other just like normal cells would, while the hydrogel protects them from the body's immune response. —Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2013

That’s because the microenvironment (the area directly around the tumor) consists of molecules and blood vessels that have become tainted. —Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 6 Oct. 2022

Every valley, stream and forest, composes a microenvironment. —Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Oct. 2022

Once there, inflammation triggers the activation of immune cells called microglia, which go haywire, causing additional inflammation that disturbs the sensitive microenvironment of the brain. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022

Solid tumors are more difficult to access, and are often contained in a microenvironment that dampens the body’s immune response. —Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

microenvironment

noun

mi·​cro·​en·​vi·​ron·​ment -in-ˈvī-rən-mənt, -ˈvī(-ə)rn- 

: a small or relatively small usually distinctly specialized and effectively isolated habitat or environment (as of a nerve cell) see microhabitat

microenvironmental

-ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl 

adjective