noun
atropine
AT-ruh-peen/ˈætrəˌpin/
a drug that blocks certain nerve signals
The clinician prepares an injection of atropine for the poisoned patient.
Etymology
Atropa names deadly nightshade and comes from Atropos, the Fate who cuts the thread of life. With the chemical suffix, it names an alkaloid extracted from that plant.
In context
the cat's pupils constricted, then once drops of atropine were applied, dilated.
So atropine is … a parasympatholytic drug. A parasympatholytic agent is a substance or activity that reduces the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system.
More examples
- The medical chart records when atropine was administered.
- An eye examination may involve drops containing atropine.
- Researchers compared the response before and after adding atropine.
Similar words
- antimuscarinic
- Names the drug class to which atropine belongs.
- anticholinergic
- Names a broader class that blocks certain acetylcholine effects.