tetrodotoxin
noun
te·tro·do·tox·in
te-ˌtrō-də-ˈtäk-sən 
: a neurotoxin C11H17N3O8 found especially in puffer fish that blocks nerve conduction by suppressing permeability of the nerve fiber to sodium ions
Examples of tetrodotoxin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their salivary glands are full of symbiotic bacteria, which pump out a deadly poison called tetrodotoxin, or TTX for short.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
Their venom is called neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, or TTX, and is created by bacteria that live in a symbiotic relationship with the octopuses.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
The Calusa could have utilized the properties of the tetrodotoxin in medicinal, ritual, or even military contexts but again evidence for such use has not been identified.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
The neurotoxin in blue-ringed octopus saliva is called tetrodotoxin (TTX), and it’s produced by bacteria lingering in their salivary glands – though TTX can be found in other body parts such as octopus arms and abdomens.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
Their venom is called neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, or TTX, and is created by bacteria that live in a symbiotic relationship with the octopuses.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
The Calusa could have utilized the properties of the tetrodotoxin in medicinal, ritual, or even military contexts but again evidence for such use has not been identified.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
The neurotoxin in blue-ringed octopus saliva is called tetrodotoxin (TTX), and it’s produced by bacteria lingering in their salivary glands – though TTX can be found in other body parts such as octopus arms and abdomens.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tetrodotoxin
Cite this Entry
“Tetrodotoxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetrodotoxin. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tetrodotoxin
noun
te·tro·do·tox·in
te-ˌtrōd-ə-ˈtäk-sən
: a neurotoxin C11H17N3O8 that is found especially in pufferfishes and that blocks nerve conduction by suppressing permeability of the nerve fiber to sodium ions
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