efferent neuron
Definition
- Noun:
- A neuron conducting impulses outwards from the brain or spinal cord: An efferent neuron is a type of nerve cell that carries motor commands or signals away from the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) toward muscles, glands, or other effector organs to produce an action, such as muscle contraction or gland secretion.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The signal to move your hand is transmitted by an efferent neuron.
- Damage to the efferent neurons can result in paralysis, as the brain's commands cannot reach the muscles.
Advanced Usage
- In neuroanatomy: The term is often used in contrast to "afferent neuron" (which carries sensory signals the CNS). Together, they describe the fundamental pathways of the nervous system.
- The reflex arc involves both afferent and efferent neurons.
- In clinical contexts: Often discussed in relation to specific diseases or conditions affecting motor control.
- The doctor explained that the patient's condition involved the degeneration of efferent neurons.
Variants and Related Words
- Efferent (adj): Conducting outward or away from a central structure. Often used to describe nerves, pathways, or signals.
- The efferent pathway carries the motor command.
- Motor neuron: A common synonym, especially for efferent neurons that directly innervate muscles.
- The somatic motor neuron is a type of efferent neuron.
- Effector (n): The organ (like a muscle or gland) that responds to the signal from an efferent neuron.
Synonyms
- Motor neuron: A neuron that sends impulses to a muscle, causing it to contract.
- Efferent nerve fiber: The axon of an efferent neuron.
Related Phrases
- Efferent pathway/arc: The route taken by nerve impulses from the CNS to an effector.
- The efferent arc of the reflex is crucial for the response.
- Efferent division: Refers to the part of the peripheral nervous system that carries motor commands.
Related Idioms
(This technical term is not typically used in idiomatic expressions.)
Noun
-
a neuron conducting impulses outwards from the brain or spinal cord
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