perikaryon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low Frequency / Highly TechnicalExclusively technical/scientific (neurobiology, neurology, histology).
Quick answer
What does “perikaryon” mean?
The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus and most organelles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus and most organelles.
In neuroanatomy and cytology, the cytoplasm surrounding the nucleus of a neuron. It is the metabolic center of the cell, involved in protein synthesis and cellular maintenance. The term can also be applied conceptually to the analogous cell body of other types of nerve cells.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Pronunciations may differ slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
None; purely denotative and technical in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both UK and US academic/medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “perikaryon” in a Sentence
The perikaryon contains...A stain highlights the perikaryon......located within the perikaryon.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “perikaryon” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- perikaryal
- perikaryonic
American English
- perikaryal
- perikaryonic
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Exclusively used in advanced life sciences, particularly neuroscience and cell biology textbooks, papers, and lectures.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in neurohistology, neuropathology, and detailed anatomical descriptions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “perikaryon”
- Misspelling as 'perikaryan' or 'perikarion'.
- Using it to refer to the nucleus itself.
- Using it in non-neuronal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most neurobiological contexts, 'perikaryon' and 'soma' are used synonymously to refer to the cell body of a neuron, excluding its processes (axons and dendrites).
Rarely. While it literally means 'around the nucleus', its standard usage is restricted to neurons. For other cell types, 'cytoplasm' or 'cell body' is used.
The most common American pronunciation is /ˌpɛrəˈkɛriˌɑn/, with stress on the 'kar' syllable.
Changes in the size, shape, or internal structure of the perikaryon are key diagnostic features in neuropathology for conditions like neuronal injury, viral infections, and various neurodegenerative diseases.
The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus and most organelles.
Perikaryon is usually exclusively technical/scientific (neurobiology, neurology, histology). in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PERI (around) + KARYON (nucleus) = the cytoplasm AROUND the NUCLEUS of a neuron.
Conceptual Metaphor
The 'command centre' or 'factory floor' of the neuron.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the perikaryon?