Communicans
Encyclopedia
Communicans is a Latin word meaning "communicating". It is most commonly used in medical or biological terminology.
- The rami communicansRami communicansRamus communicans is the term used for a nerve which connects two other nerves.When used without further definition, it almost always refers to a communicating branch between a spinal nerve and the sympathetic trunk. More specifically, it usually refers to one of the following:* Gray ramus...
are connective spinal nerves that attach to the ganglion of the sympathetic trunkSympathetic trunkThe sympathetic trunks are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx.-Structure:...
. The two branches of the nerves are termed the White ramus communicansWhite ramus communicansThe thoracic, and the first and second lumbar nerves each contribute a branch, white ramus communicans to the adjoining sympathetic ganglion.They contain myelinated preganglionic sympathetic fibers ....
and the Gray ramus communicansGray ramus communicansEach spinal nerve receives a branch, gray ramus communicans, from the adjacent ganglion of the sympathetic trunk.They contain unmyelinated postganglionic sympathetic fibers.-Function:...
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- The arteria comminicans are the three arteries in the brain that form the circle of WillisCircle of WillisThe Circle of Willis is a circle of arteries that supply blood to the brain...
. Communicating artery is a synonym for this term.
- The macula communicans (or zonula communicans) is a synonym for a gap junctionGap junctionA gap junction or nexus is a specialized intercellular connection between a multitude of animal cell-types. It directly connects the cytoplasm of two cells, which allows various molecules and ions to pass freely between cells....
. These are locations on the cellular membrane that lie 2–4 nm from an adjacent cell and are penetrated by a connexonConnexonIn biology, a connexon is an assembly of six proteins called connexins that can be a part of a gap junction channel between the cytoplasm of two adjacent cells. The connexon is actually the hemichannel supplied by a cell on one side of the junction; two connexons from opposing cells normally come...
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- A ductus communicans is a constriction of a swim bladder between the anterior and posterior chambers.