vasopressin

DEFINITION:

1. One of two octapeptide hormones formed by the neuronal cells of the hypothalamic nuclei and stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), the other being oxytocin. It stimulates the contraction of the muscular tissue of the capillaries and arterioles, raising the blood pressure. It promotes contraction of the intestinal musculature and increases peristalsis, and also exerts some contractile influence on the uterus. It also has a specific effect on the epithelial cells of the distal portion of the uriniferous tubule, augmenting resorption of water independently of solutes, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. Its rate of secretion is regulated chiefly by the osmolarity of the plasma.

2. [USP], A pharmaceutical preparation of the same principle, prepared synthetically or obtained from the posterior pituitary of healthy domestic animals used for food by man; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of acute or chronic diabetes insipidus, administered intramuscularly as a test of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-renal function in distinguishing central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus; it may also be used to stimulate smooth muscle tissue, especially to induce vasoconstriction in the presence of hemorrhage. Called also antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

secretion

DEFINITION:

The process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine).

hypovolemia

DEFINITION:

Abnormally decreased volume of circulating blood in the body; the most common cause is hemorrhage.

hypotension

DEFINITION:

Abnormally low blood pressure; seen in shock but not necessarily indicative of it.

hypoosmolality

DEFINITION:

A decrease in the osmolality of the body fluids.

hypertension

DEFINITION:

Abnormally high blood pressure and especially arterial blood pressure.

osmotic

DEFINITION:

Of, relating to, or having the properties of osmosis.

hemodynamic

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to the movements involved in the circulation of the blood.

mediated

DEFINITION:

Accomplished by the aid of an intervening medium.

neuronal

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to a neuron or neurons.

neurons

DEFINITION:

Any of the conducting cells of the nervous system. A typical neuron consists of a cell body, containing the nucleus and the surrounding cytoplasm (perikaryon); several short radiating processes (dendrites); and one long process (the axon), which terminates in twiglike branches (telodendrons) and may have branches (collaterals) projecting along its course. The axon together with its covering or sheath forms the nerve fiber. Called also nerve cell .

osmoregulation

DEFINITION:

The state of regulation of osmotic pressure especially in the body of a living organism.

altered

DEFINITION:

1. Having been made or become different.

2. Castrated; spayed.

3. Abbreviation for "alteration."

hemodynamic

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to the movements involved in the circulation of the blood.

essential hypertension

DEFINITION:

Hypertension occurring without discoverable organic cause; called also primary hypertension and idiopathic hypertension.

basal

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to or situated near a base.

osmotically

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to or of the nature of osmosis.

vasopressin

DEFINITION:

1. One of two octapeptide hormones formed by the neuronal cells of the hypothalamic nuclei and stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), the other being oxytocin. It stimulates the contraction of the muscular tissue of the capillaries and arterioles, raising the blood pressure. It promotes contraction of the intestinal musculature and increases peristalsis, and also exerts some contractile influence on the uterus. It also has a specific effect on the epithelial cells of the distal portion of the uriniferous tubule, augmenting resorption of water independently of solutes, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. Its rate of secretion is regulated chiefly by the osmolarity of the plasma.

2. [USP], A pharmaceutical preparation of the same principle, prepared synthetically or obtained from the posterior pituitary of healthy domestic animals used for food by man; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of acute or chronic diabetes insipidus, administered intramuscularly as a test of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-renal function in distinguishing central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus; it may also be used to stimulate smooth muscle tissue, especially to induce vasoconstriction in the presence of hemorrhage. Called also antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

vasopressin

DEFINITION:

1. One of two octapeptide hormones formed by the neuronal cells of the hypothalamic nuclei and stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), the other being oxytocin. It stimulates the contraction of the muscular tissue of the capillaries and arterioles, raising the blood pressure. It promotes contraction of the intestinal musculature and increases peristalsis, and also exerts some contractile influence on the uterus. It also has a specific effect on the epithelial cells of the distal portion of the uriniferous tubule, augmenting resorption of water independently of solutes, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. Its rate of secretion is regulated chiefly by the osmolarity of the plasma.

2. [USP], A pharmaceutical preparation of the same principle, prepared synthetically or obtained from the posterior pituitary of healthy domestic animals used for food by man; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of acute or chronic diabetes insipidus, administered intramuscularly as a test of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-renal function in distinguishing central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus; it may also be used to stimulate smooth muscle tissue, especially to induce vasoconstriction in the presence of hemorrhage. Called also antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

blood pressure

DEFINITION:

1. The pressure of blood against the walls of any blood vessel.

2. The pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries, dependent on the energy of the heart action, the elasticity of the walls of the arteries, and the volume and viscosity of the blood. The maximum or systolic blood pressure occurs near the end of the stroke output of the left ventricle of the heart. The minimum or diastolic blood pressure occurs late in ventricular diastole. Mean blood pressure is the average of the blood pressure levels, and basic blood pressure is that during quiet rest or basal conditions. See also hypertension and hypotension.

expressed

DEFINITION:

1. Showing a detectable effect of a gene.

2. Made known; shown.

3. Squeezed out; extracted by pressing.

relative

DEFINITION:

1. A thing having a relation to or a dependence upon another thing.
2. A person connected with another by blood or marriage.
3. Pertinent, relevant.
4. Not absolute or independent; comparative.
5. Expressed as the ratio of the specified quantity to the total magnitude or to the mean of all quantities involved.

blood pressure

DEFINITION:

1. The pressure of blood against the walls of any blood vessel.

2. The pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries, dependent on the energy of the heart action, the elasticity of the walls of the arteries, and the volume and viscosity of the blood. The maximum or systolic blood pressure occurs near the end of the stroke output of the left ventricle of the heart. The minimum or diastolic blood pressure occurs late in ventricular diastole. Mean blood pressure is the average of the blood pressure levels, and basic blood pressure is that during quiet rest or basal conditions. See also hypertension and hypotension.

essential hypertension

DEFINITION:

Hypertension occurring without discoverable organic cause; called also primary hypertension and idiopathic hypertension.

secretion

DEFINITION:

The process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine).

vasopressin

DEFINITION:

1. One of two octapeptide hormones formed by the neuronal cells of the hypothalamic nuclei and stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), the other being oxytocin. It stimulates the contraction of the muscular tissue of the capillaries and arterioles, raising the blood pressure. It promotes contraction of the intestinal musculature and increases peristalsis, and also exerts some contractile influence on the uterus. It also has a specific effect on the epithelial cells of the distal portion of the uriniferous tubule, augmenting resorption of water independently of solutes, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. Its rate of secretion is regulated chiefly by the osmolarity of the plasma.

2. [USP], A pharmaceutical preparation of the same principle, prepared synthetically or obtained from the posterior pituitary of healthy domestic animals used for food by man; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of acute or chronic diabetes insipidus, administered intramuscularly as a test of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-renal function in distinguishing central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus; it may also be used to stimulate smooth muscle tissue, especially to induce vasoconstriction in the presence of hemorrhage. Called also antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

essential hypertension

DEFINITION:

Hypertension occurring without discoverable organic cause; called also primary hypertension and idiopathic hypertension.

antagonize

DEFINITION:

1. To act in direct opposition.

2. To nullify; i.e., the action of a substance that tends to nullify the action of another, as a drug that binds to a cell receptor without eliciting a biological response, blocking binding or substances that could elicit such responses.

therapeutic

DEFINITION:

A term meaning "related to treatment." The therapeutic dose of a drug is the amount required to have a beneficial effect.

antagonists

DEFINITION:

1. Muscles whose actions are the direct opposite of that of other muscles.

V1

DEFINITION:

Vasopressin-1.

receptors

DEFINITION:

See definitions under "receptor."

therapy

DEFINITION:

The treatment of disease; called also therapeutics .