Atlas One · Host Biology · Scale 02 — Atomic

Sodium

Na⁺, atomic number 11. Principal extracellular cation (137–145 mmol/L plasma). Inward Na⁺ flux through Nav channels generates the depolarising upstroke of action potentials in neurons and cardiomyocytes. The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase maintains the gradient; NCX1 couples Na⁺ to Ca²⁺ efflux.

Also known as: Na, Na⁺, sodium ion, natrium, hypernatraemia, hyponatraemia

Scale 02 — AtomicScale
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2026-06-05Last Reviewed
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sodium

Sodium

Na⁺, atomic number 11. Principal extracellular cation (137–145 mmol/L plasma). Inward Na⁺ flux through Nav channels generates the depolarising upstroke of action potentials in neurons and cardiomyocytes. The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase maintains the gradient; NCX1 couples Na⁺ to Ca²⁺ efflux.