Neuromuscular Blockade

The intentional interruption of transmission at the NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION by external agents, usually neuromuscular blocking agents. It is distinguished from NERVE BLOCK in which nerve conduction (NEURAL CONDUCTION) is interrupted rather than neuromuscular transmission. Neuromuscular blockade is commonly used to produce MUSCLE RELAXATION as an adjunct to anesthesia during surgery and other medical procedures. It is also often used as an experimental manipulation in basic research. It is not strictly speaking anesthesia but is grouped here with anesthetic techniques. The failure of neuromuscular transmission as a result of pathological processes is not included here.

Year introduced: 1997

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Tree Number(s): E03.706, E05.635

MeSH Unique ID: D019148

Entry Terms:

• Blockade, Neuromuscular
• Neuromuscular Block
• Block, Neuromuscular

Previous Indexing:

• Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (1966-1996)
• Neuromuscular Junction/drug effects (1966-1996)

See Also:

• Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

All MeSH Categories
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Category
Anesthesia and Analgesia
Neuromuscular Blockade

All MeSH Categories
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Category
Investigative Techniques
Neuromuscular Blockade