nerve fibre
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A long, slender projection of a neuron (nerve cell) that conducts electrical impulses. It is the primary structure for transmitting signals throughout the nervous system.
Usage
The term "nerve fibre" refers specifically to the axon of a neuron, which is the part that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. It is a core anatomical and physiological concept in biology and medicine.
Examples
- Damage to a single nerve fibre can disrupt the signal to a specific muscle.
- Scientists are studying how to regenerate nerve fibres after spinal cord injuries.
- The optic nerve contains over a million nerve fibres that carry visual information to the brain.
Advanced Usage
- Myelinated nerve fibre: A nerve fibre that is insulated by a myelin sheath, which greatly increases the speed of signal transmission.
- Sensory nerve fibre: A nerve fibre that carries impulses from sensory receptors (e.g., in the skin) toward the central nervous system.
- Motor nerve fibre: A nerve fibre that carries impulses from the central nervous system to effector organs like muscles.
Variants and Related Words
- Nerve fiber (noun): The American English spelling of "nerve fibre".
- Axon (noun): The scientific synonym for a nerve fibre; the long threadlike part of a neuron.
- Neuron (noun): The entire nerve cell, of which the nerve fibre is a part.
- Neurofibril (noun): A fine filament within a nerve fibre.
Synonyms
- Axon
- Neural process
Related Phrases
- Bundle of nerve fibres: A group of nerve fibres running together, typically forming a nerve.
- Nerve fibre pathway: A specific route or tract in the nervous system formed by nerve fibres.
Noun
- a threadlike extension of a nerve cell