BOUTON Meaning and
Definition
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A bouton is a term commonly used in the field of neurology and anatomy to refer to a small swelling or enlargement found on certain nerve cells or structures in the body. Specifically, bouton refers to the presynaptic terminal or synaptic bouton, which is a specialized structure located at the end of an axon, a long fiber-like projection of a nerve cell responsible for transmitting electrical impulses.
The bouton is an essential component of the synapse, the junction between two nerve cells where communication occurs. Within the bouton, various synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters, chemical substances involved in transmitting signals across the synapse. When an electrical impulse reaches the bouton, these vesicles release the neurotransmitters into the synapse, allowing the signal to be transmitted to the postsynaptic neuron or target cell.
The term bouton can also refer to other structures in different contexts. In botany, a bouton may indicate a bud or small rounded swelling on a plant stem or shoot. Additionally, the term can be used in reference to small buttons or knobs, typically found on electronic devices or machinery, which can be pressed or turned to activate specific functions.
Overall, bouton primarily pertains to the synaptic bouton in the field of neurology and anatomy, but can also have alternative meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
Etymology of BOUTON
The word "bouton" has an etymology originating from the French language. It is derived from the Old French word "boton", which means "button". The Old French term itself was derived from the Latin word "bottō" meaning "knob" or "projection". ultimately tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰeuH- ("to swell" or "to grow"). The term "bouton" is typically used in English to refer to a pimple or small swelling on the skin.
Similar spelling words for BOUTON
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