What does intercellular mean?
Intercellular is an adjective describing something situated or occurring between cells. It is commonly used in biology and medicine to refer to spaces, junctions, signals, and other structures that connect neighboring cells or occupy the regions between them. For example, intercellular communication enables cells to exchange information and coordinate their responses, while intercellular junctions help neighboring cells remain joined. The term should not be confused with intracellular, which means within a cell rather than between cells. Intercellular is primarily a scientific term, although it is also encountered in general discussions of anatomy, cell biology, and disease.
adjectiveSituated, occurring, or existing between cells. In biology, it describes structures, spaces, processes, or communication that connect or occur among cells.
- Located or occurring between cells; relating to structures, substances, or processes between cells.
"The cells communicate through specialized intercellular junctions."
"Intercellular communication allows neighboring cells to coordinate their activity."
"The microscope revealed an extensive network of intercellular connections."
Intercellular is the biological label for everything that happens in the spaces and structures between cells.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intercellular come from?
The word was formed in English from the Latin prefix inter-, meaning “between,” and cellular, meaning “relating to cells.” Its cellular element comes from Latin cellula, a diminutive of cella, meaning “small room” or “cell.” The related form intracellular uses the same Latin prefix intra-, meaning “within,” to describe something inside a cell.
How intercellular is actually used
This is a technical term, used chiefly in biology, medicine, and related scientific fields.
Easily confused with intercellular
Intercellular means between cells, whereas intracellular means within a cell or inside its interior.