tetrodotoxin

noun

te·​tro·​do·​tox·​in te-ˌtrō-də-ˈtäk-sən 

: a neurotoxin C₁₁H₁₇N₃O₈ found especially in puffer fish that blocks nerve conduction by suppressing permeability of the nerve fiber to sodium ions

Examples of tetrodotoxin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their salivary glands are full of symbiotic bacteria, which pump out a deadly poison called tetrodotoxin, or TTX for short. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025

Their venom is called neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, or TTX, and is created by bacteria that live in a symbiotic relationship with the octopuses. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025

The Calusa could have utilized the properties of the tetrodotoxin in medicinal, ritual, or even military contexts but again evidence for such use has not been identified. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024

The neurotoxin in blue-ringed octopus saliva is called tetrodotoxin (TTX), and it’s produced by bacteria lingering in their salivary glands – though TTX can be found in other body parts such as octopus arms and abdomens. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary tetrodo- (from New Latin Tetrodon, genus of tropical marine fishes) + toxin

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tetrodotoxin

• enterotoxin
• aflatoxin
• antitoxin
• digitoxin
• endotoxin
• exotoxin
• ferredoxin
• mycotoxin
• neurotoxin
• picrotoxin
• alloxan
• digoxin

Medical Definition

tetrodotoxin

noun

te·​tro·​do·​tox·​in te-ˌtrōd-ə-ˈtäk-sən 

: a neurotoxin C₁₁H₁₇N₃O₈ that is found especially in pufferfishes and that blocks nerve conduction by suppressing permeability of the nerve fiber to sodium ions