Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "postsynaptic" [postsynaptic]

  • Situated behind or occurring after a synapse: postsynaptic neurons. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "postsynaptic" in a sentence
  • "This region is known as the postsynaptic density (PSD)."
  • "Direct-acting pressors have their action extracellularly at postsynaptic receptors. 4 The evaluation of liver function at initial presentation andfour tosix weeks following recovery is recommended, although the incidence of hepatotoxicity following acute overdose is rare. 5 Caution should be exercised in the use of sedative/hypnotics for CNS excitation because of synergistic depressant effects during overdose."
  • "The postsynaptic receptors become supersensitive to neurotransmitter effects and may be related to an increase in the number of alpha and beta receptors. 4 This may occur in compensation for chronic cocaine use when norepinephrine becomes depleted. 4"