muscarinic

adjective

mus·​ca·​rin·​ic ˌmə-skə-ˈri-nik How to pronounce muscarinic (audio)
: of, relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the parasympathetic effects (such as a slowed heart rate and increased activity of smooth muscle) produced by muscarine
muscarinic receptors
compare nicotinic

Examples of muscarinic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The drug targets part of the brain called the muscarinic acetylcholine system using the compound xanomeline, which stimulates parts of the surface of neurons—called M1 and M4 receptors—to reduce dopamine transmission. WIRED, 10 Feb. 2023 Both calcium channels and muscarinic receptors regulate signals for smooth muscle thickening; carbachol and potassium interaction with these signaling pathways leads to airway constrictions. Alice Chi Phung, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2014 Trospium chloride, which was approved for treating an overact bladder, blocks muscarinic receptors outside of the brain to cancel out the actions of xanomeline. Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 The Karuna drug, called KarXT, works by targeting muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 18 Nov. 2019 All nerve agent victims are given atropine, which blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Richard Stone, Science | AAAS, 19 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muscarinic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscarinic was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near muscarinic

Cite this Entry

“Muscarinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscarinic. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

muscarinic

adjective
mus·​ca·​rin·​ic -kə-ˌrin-ik How to pronounce muscarinic (audio)
: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects (as a slowed heart rate, increased secretion by exocrine glands, and increased activity of smooth muscle) that are produced on organs and tissues by acetylcholine liberated by postganglionic nerve fibers of the parasympathetic nervous system and that are mimicked by muscarine
muscarinic receptors
atropine is a muscarinic antagonist
compare nicotinic
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