synapse

[ sin-aps, si-naps ]
/ ˈsɪn æps, sɪˈnæps /
Physiology

noun

a region where nerve impulses are transmitted and received, encompassing the axon terminal of a neuron that releases neurotransmitters in response to an impulse, an extremely small gap across which the neurotransmitters travel, and the adjacent membrane of an axon, dendrite, or muscle or gland cell with the appropriate receptor molecules for picking up the neurotransmitters.

verb (used without object), syn·apsed, syn·aps·ing.

Cell Biology, Physiology. to form a synapse or a synapsis.

Origin of synapse

1895–1900; back formation from synapses, plural of synapsis

Definition for synapses (2 of 2)

synapsis
[ si-nap-sis ]
/ sɪˈnæp sɪs /

noun, plural syn·ap·ses [si-nap-seez] /sɪˈnæp siz/.

Also called syndesis. Cell Biology. the pairing of homologous chromosomes, one from each parent, during early meiosis.
Physiology. synapse.

Origin of synapsis

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek sýnapsis junction, equivalent to synap- (stem of synáptein to make contact, equivalent to syn- syn- + ( h)áptein to touch) + -sis -sis

OTHER WORDS FROM synapsis

syn·ap·tic [si-nap-tik] /sɪˈnæp tɪk/, syn·ap·ti·cal, adjective syn·ap·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for synapses

British Dictionary definitions for synapses (1 of 2)

synapse
/ (ˈsaɪnæps) /

noun

the point at which a nerve impulse is relayed from the terminal portion of an axon to the dendrites of an adjacent neuron

British Dictionary definitions for synapses (2 of 2)

synapsis
/ (sɪˈnæpsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

cytology the association in pairs of homologous chromosomes at the start of meiosis
another word for synapse

Word Origin for synapsis

C19: from New Latin, from Greek sunapsis junction, from sunaptein to join together, from syn- + haptein to connect

Medical definitions for synapses (1 of 2)

synapse
[ sĭnăps′, sĭ-năps ]

n.

The junction across which a nerve impulse passes from an axon terminal to a neuron, a muscle cell, or a gland cell.

Medical definitions for synapses (2 of 2)

synapsis
[ sĭ-năpsĭs ]

n. pl. syn•ap•ses (-sēz)

The side-by-side association of homologous paternal and maternal chromosomes during early meiotic prophase.

Scientific definitions for synapses

synapse
[ sĭnăps′ ]

The small junction across which a nerve impulse passes from one nerve cell to another nerve cell, a muscle cell, or a gland cell. The synapse consists of the synaptic terminal, or presynaptic ending, of a sending neuron, a postsynaptic ending of the receiving cell that contains receptor sites, and the space between them (the synaptic cleft). The synaptic terminal contains neurotransmitters and cell organelles including mitochondria. An electrical impulse in the sending neuron triggers the migration of vesicles containing neurotransmitters toward the membrane of the synaptic terminal. The vesicle membrane fuses with the presynaptic membrane, and the neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors of the connecting cell where they excite or inhibit electrical impulses. See also neurotransmitter.

Cultural definitions for synapses

synapse
[ (sin-aps, si-naps) ]

A gap between two nerve cells. Nerve signals are sent across the gap by neurotransmitters.