Gateway
Gateway (Medicine)
Gateway (pronounced: /ˈɡeɪtweɪ/) is a term used in the field of medicine to refer to a point of entry or access into a complex system or structure in the body. The term is derived from the Old English words 'geat' (gate) and 'weg' (way), signifying a passage or way through a barrier.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term 'gateway' is often used in the context of pathological processes, such as the spread of infections or cancerous cells, where the 'gateway' refers to the route these processes take to invade the body. For example, the skin can act as a 'gateway' for pathogens if it is broken or damaged, allowing them to enter the body and cause infection.
The term is also used in the field of neurology, where it can refer to the points in the nervous system where signals are transmitted from one part of the body to another. For example, the synaptic junctions between neurons can be considered 'gateways' for the transmission of nerve impulses.
Related Terms
- Pathway: A sequence of reactions or processes in the body that lead to a particular result or end point.
- Portal: An opening or entrance into a structure or organ in the body, similar to a 'gateway'.
- Route of administration: The path by which a drug or other substance is taken into the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gateway
- Wikipedia's article - Gateway
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski