alpha receptor

or al·pha-re·cep·tor

See more synonyms for alpha receptor on Thesaurus.com

noun

a site on a cell that, upon interaction with epinephrine or norepinephrine, controls vasoconstriction, intestinal relaxation, pupil dilation, and other physiological processes.

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Compare beta receptor.

Origin of alpha receptor

First recorded in 1960–65

Also called alpha-adrenergic receptor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

alpha-receptor in Medicine

alpha-receptor

n.

alpha-adrenergic receptor

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.