THIOPENTAL Meaning and
Definition
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Thiopental is a noun that refers to a powerful barbiturate drug used primarily as an anesthetic. This medication belongs to the class of drugs known as general anesthetics, which induce a reversible state of unconsciousness and insensitivity to pain during medical procedures.
The chemical name of thiopental is sodium thiopental, which indicates that it is a sodium salt derivative. It is available in the form of a white crystalline powder that is either dissolved in a sterile solution or formulated as a compressed tablet. When administered intravenously, thiopental acts rapidly, inducing a state of general anesthesia within seconds.
Thiopental exerts its anesthetic effects by enhancing the activity of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. By binding to specific receptors in the GABA receptors, it acts as a central nervous system depressant, causing a depression of neuronal activity and producing sedation, hypnosis, and anesthesia.
Due to its rapid onset and short duration of action, thiopental is preferred for certain medical procedures requiring brief periods of anesthesia, such as intubation or EEG tests. However, its use is limited to controlled environments, such as hospitals or surgical centers, and under the supervision of trained medical professionals, as it carries potential risks and side effects.
In summary, thiopental is a potent barbiturate drug that functions as a general anesthetic agent by inducing unconsciousness and insensitivity to pain during medical procedures.
Common Misspellings for THIOPENTAL
- rhiopental
- fhiopental
- ghiopental
- yhiopental
- 6hiopental
- 5hiopental
- tgiopental
- tbiopental
- tniopental
- tjiopental
- tuiopental
- tyiopental
- thuopental
- thjopental
- thkopental
- thoopental
- th9opental
- th8opental
- thiipental
Etymology of THIOPENTAL
The word "thiopental" is derived from its chemical structure. It is composed of two parts: "thio-" and "-pent-" combined with the suffix "-al". Here is a breakdown of each component:
1. "Thio-": The prefix "thio-" indicates the presence of a sulfur atom in the molecule. It comes from the Greek word "theion", meaning "sulfur".
2. "-Pent-": The root "pent-" is derived from the Greek prefix "penta-", meaning "five". It refers to the five carbon atoms in the molecule.
3. "-Al": The suffix "-al" is commonly used to denote aldehydes or other chemical compounds. In this case, it indicates the presence of a specific functional group in thiopental.
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