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motoneuron

motoneuron

1 8.4
A nerve cell that sends signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles to make them move
  • noun
  • /ˈmoʊtəˌnjʊrən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : motoneurona
  • Furthermore, afferent information from joint receptors may project to gamma motoneurons, thus causing alterations in muscle tone at and around the injured site (51, 52).
  • lower motoneuron

Examples

  • Intermuscular coherence measurements reflect all oscillatory presynaptic drives to lower motoneurons.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The smallest motoneurons are called into action first, and the larger motoneurons meet the demands for larger forces as needed.

    Blog text (21)
  • The smallest motoneurons are called into action first, and the larger motoneurons meet the demands for larger forces as needed.

    Blog text (21)
  • Furthermore, ALS is a disease that affects both upper and lower motoneurons, resulting in changes in muscle tone, strength, and reflex activity.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Others have suggested that each motoneuron pool is actually supplied by both excitatory and inhibitory nociceptive interneurons (57).

    Academic text (1997)
  • The size principle indicates that "during voluntary contractions, the orderly pattern of recruitment is controlled by the size of motoneurons" (Zatsiorsky 2006; p. 61).

    Blog text (21)
  • Intramuscular coordination, on the other hand, occurs within individual muscles and, put very simply, involves the activation of motor units (a motoneuron plus the muscle fibers it innervates equals a motor unit).

    Blog text (21)
  • Contraindications to participation in FNS exercise included lower motoneuron involvement, previous lower extremity fracture, medical and/or psychological instability, and intolerance to electrical stimulation.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The motoneurons send signals from the spinal cord to the muscles, allowing for movement.

  • In patients with ALS, the motoneurons deteriorate over time, leading to muscle weakness.

Synonyms

motor neuron
vsmotoneuron
  • Specialized
2 3.9

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

is the same meaning but written as a single word
efferent neuron
vsmotoneuron
  • Specialized
7.4

Nerve cell that carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles and glands

focuses on causing movement rather than a general effect on organs

Surface Forms

motoneuron singular
motoneurons plural

Morphology

motoneuron = motor + neuron (transparent) = motor + neuron

A direct combination of 'motor' + 'neuron'; knowing the two components allows inference of a neuron related to movement.

Etymology

Motoneuron comes from two parts: motor meaning 'move', as in a car motor, and neuron meaning 'nerve'. So, a motoneuron is a nerve that carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles to make them move.