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efferent neuron

efferent neuron

7.4
Nerve cell that carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles and glands
  • noun
  • /ˈɛfərənt ˈnjʊrɒn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : neuronas eferentes
  • The muscle contracted after an efferent neuron transmitted the signal from the spinal cord.

Examples

  • Damage to an efferent neuron can result in loss of muscle function.

  • Scientists studied how an efferent neuron activates glands during stress responses.

  • An efferent neuron transmits signals to the muscles.

  • The efferent neurons play a crucial role in movement.

  • Damage to an efferent neuron can result in loss of muscle function.

  • The muscle contracted after an efferent neuron transmitted the signal from the spinal cord.

  • Scientists studied how an efferent neuron activates glands during stress responses.

Synonyms

motor neuron
vsefferent neuron
  • Specialized
2 3.9

A nerve cell that sends signals from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle to make it move

is broader and sends impulses to effector organs not only for movement
motoneuron
vsefferent neuron
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A nerve cell that sends signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles to make them move

is the same in meaning and exists as an alternative form

Antonyms

afferent neuron
  • Specialized
7.2

A nerve cell that carries sensory signals to the brain or spinal cord

Surface Forms

Morphology

efferent + neuron

If a learner knows 'efferent' (relating to nerves that transmit signals outward) and 'neuron' (nerve cell), the compound meaning — a nerve cell that carries impulses away from the brain or spinal cord to effectors — is directly and compositionally derivable. The term follows predictable biomedical word-formation patterns (adjective + noun) and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, so it should be immediately understandable to such learners.

Etymology

Efferent neuron comes from Latin words meaning 'to carry out': efferent means 'carrying away' and neuron is a nerve cell. Think of it as a wire that sends a signal out from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland, so it means a nerve cell that sends signals away to make muscles move or glands work.