Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na (from Latin "natrium") and atomic number 11. It's vital for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
Related terms
Electrolytes: Minerals in your body that have an electric charge, such as sodium, calcium, potassium etc. They help balance the amount of water in your body and pH level.
Nerve Impulse Transmission: The process by which signals are sent along nerve cells to communicate between different parts of the body.
Muscle Contraction: A process where muscle fibers produce tension through cross-bridge cycling, which is regulated by sodium ions.