AFFERENT Meaning and
Definition
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Afferent refers to a biological term used to describe the transmission of sensory information or signals from the periphery of the body to the central nervous system (CNS). Derived from the Latin word "afferens," which means "carrying to," afferent pathways are responsible for conveying signals from various sensory receptors and organs to the brain and spinal cord. This transmission allows the CNS to receive and interpret environmental stimuli, enabling the body to respond accordingly.
In the field of neuroscience, afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, are the cells that facilitate this transfer of information. These specialized cells possess receptor endings known as sense organs or sensory receptors, which are distributed throughout the body. Afferent neurons receive stimuli such as touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and auditory or visual signals, converting them into electrical signals called action potentials. These action potentials then travel along nerve fibers or axons, forming neural pathways that connect the periphery to the CNS.
Afferent pathways play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis by providing crucial sensory feedback to the CNS. This feedback allows the brain to interpret and integrate sensory information, facilitating appropriate physiological responses. For instance, when the body detects a temperature change, afferent neurons send signals to the brain, which triggers thermoregulatory responses to maintain optimal body temperature. Thus, afferent pathways serve as essential communicators, relaying information from the external environment to the central nervous system for processing and subsequent action.
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Bringing to or into, noting certain veins, lymphatics, and nerves.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AFFERENT
Etymology of AFFERENT
The word "afferent" is derived from the Latin term "afferentem", which is the present participle of the Latin verb "afferre". "Afferre" consists of two main components: "ad" meaning "to" or "toward", and "ferre" meaning "to bring" or "to carry". Therefore, the original meaning of "afferent" can be understood as "carrying toward" or "bringing to". In the context of anatomy and physiology, "afferent" refers to nerves or signaling pathways that carry sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system.
Similar spelling words for AFFERENT
- overhunt,
- Affronte,
- Affrontee,
- overwound,
- Overneat,
- Afront,
- Avernat,
- cortico-efferent,
- AFRINET,
- evernet,
- efferent,
- euphoriant,
- overhand,
- Overrent,
- Effront,
- overnight-bag,
- Overwind,
- overend,
- cortico-afferent,
- overnight,
- AFRONET,
- Overwent,
- avarento,
- overnet,
- AFRAND,
- affront,
- overweened,
- auvergnat,
- overhend,
- evernight,
- evernote,
- Overhent,
- ofrenda,
- AVRNT,
- overround,
- overnite.
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