nerve pathway
1
5.3
- noun
- /nɜrv ˈpæθweɪ/
- Specialized
:
vía nerviosa
- The doctor explained that damage to nerve pathways could result in loss of sensation.
- stimulate nerve pathways
- nerve pathways to your brain
Now they do that by way of a nerve pathway called the vagus nerve.
- Now they do that by way of a nerve pathway called the vagus nerve.
Examples
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The nerve pathways that carry sensory impulses from the muscles to the spinal cord and motor impulses from the spinal cord to the external sphincters can be disrupted with spinal surgery.
Academic text (2005) -
Now they do that by way of a nerve pathway called the vagus nerve.
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This will resolve as the nerve pathways heal.
Academic text (2005) -
Even the major nerve pathways for itch and its relationship to pain are debatable.
Academic text (1999) -
It is important to understand the anatomy and physiology of the nerve pathways.
Academic text (2005) -
They are nerve pathways that are firing anew each time we remember the event.
Blog text (26) -
This is a safety measure because spinal nerve distraction increases the risks for disruption of nerve pathways.
Academic text (2005) -
Afferent and efferent nerve pathways move into and out of the spinal cord.
Academic text (2005) -
As the nerve pathways are stimulated, they release chemicals such as endorphins, which modulate the pain experience.
Academic text (2010) -
It differentiates peripheral nerve pathway problems from nerve root irritation.
Academic text (2005)
Synonyms
56
6.3
A route in the brain that carries nerve signals
4
7.9
A bundle of nerve fibers in the brain or spinal cord that carry signals
A group of nerve fibers in the brain or spinal cord that carry messages
How Big
- Specialized
81
2.8
- Specialized
367
3.5
- Specialized
1
5.3
- Specialized
4
3.4
- Specialized
5
7.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'nerve' (nerve fibers carrying impulses) combined with 'pathway' (a route or channel) yields a route of nerve fibers that transmits signals. This is a common, cross-linguistic naming pattern (e.g. Spanish 'vía nerviosa', French 'voie nerveuse'), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Nerve pathway comes from the simple image of a small road inside the body, where a group of nerve fibres follow a clear pathway like cars on a road. That's why it means a route that carries 'signals' between parts of the brain and body.