alpha receptor

1 definition found

alpha receptor - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  alpha receptor
      n 1: receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of
           the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the
           specificity of certain agents that affect only some
           sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and
           relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth
           muscles) [syn: alpha receptor, alpha-adrenergic receptor
           , alpha-adrenoceptor]