vasoconstriction

[ vas-oh-kuhn-strik-shuhn, vey-zoh- ]

noun

, Physiology.

1. constriction of the blood vessels, as by the action of a nerve.

vasoconstriction

/ vā′zō-kən-strĭk′shən /

1. Constriction of a blood vessel, as by a nerve or drug.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vasoconstriction¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; vaso- + constriction

Example Sentences

“The vertebrate's natural body defenses against blood loss and invasion include blood clotting, platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction and immune defenses. Most if not all blood feeding parasites secrete a form of saliva into the feeding site that contains many different proteins and even chemicals that target host defenses.”

From Salon

Ice, however, causes the opposite phenomenon: vasoconstriction, which causes blood vessels to narrow.

From National Geographic

The blood vessels in my hands are being closed off - known as vasoconstriction - in order to keep my warm blood for my critical organs.

From BBC

The blood vessels in my hands are being closed off - known as vasoconstriction - in order to keep my warm blood for my critical organs.

From BBC

One such mechanism is vasoconstriction, which is when the muscles in blood vessel walls narrow to prevent heat loss, says cardiologist Laxmi Mehta of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

From Scientific American