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Glite Dictionary
monosynaptic pathway

monosynaptic pathway

8.2
A nerve pathway that sends a signal across one connection between two nerve cells
  • noun
  • /ˌmɒnəʊsɪˈnæptɪk ˈpæθweɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vía monosináptica
  • A monosynaptic pathway connects the sensory neuron directly to the motor neuron.

Examples

  • The knee-jerk reflex is an example of a monosynaptic pathway in action.

  • Researchers studied the monosynaptic pathway to understand how reflexes are transmitted.

  • Damage to a monosynaptic pathway can disrupt simple reflexes.

  • The monosynaptic pathway is crucial for reflex actions.

  • The knee-jerk reflex is an example of a monosynaptic pathway in action.

  • A monosynaptic pathway connects the sensory neuron directly to the motor neuron.

  • Damage to a monosynaptic pathway can disrupt simple reflexes.

Synonyms

pathway
vsmonosynaptic pathway
  • Specialized
56 6.3

A route in the brain that carries nerve signals

is restricted to transmission across only one synapse between two neurons
nerve pathway
vsmonosynaptic pathway
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A group of long cells that carry signals between body parts and the brain

refers specifically to signals that cross a single synapse rather than multiple ones

Surface Forms

monosynaptic pathway singular
monosynaptic pathways plural

Morphology

monosynaptic + pathway

The meaning is directly compositional: 'monosynaptic' specifies 'one synapse' and 'pathway' denotes a nerve route, so together they predictably mean a nerve route involving a single synapse. Although technical, the adjective+noun combination is literal and follows standard composition, so a learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.

Etymology

The term monosynaptic pathway comes from mono meaning 'one' and synapse meaning 'a tiny connection between nerve cells'. It describes a nerve route where a signal passes across only one such connection, so reactions like the knee-jerk are very fast.