Association fibers are neural fibers that connect different regions of the brain, facilitating communication and integration of sensory and cognitive information. The spelling of "association fibers" is straightforward as it follows standard English phonetics. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "apple" [əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən]. The second syllable features the "sh" sound, pronounced with the "ʃ" symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) [ˈfaɪbərz]. Thus, "association fibers" is pronounced [əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən ˈfaɪbərz].
Association fibers are a type of nerve fibers that connect different regions within the same cerebral hemisphere of the brain. These fibers enable communication and integration of information between different areas of the brain that are involved in sensory perception, motor coordination, and higher cognitive functions.
Association fibers can be further classified into three subtypes based on their location and function: short, long, and arcuate fibers. Short association fibers connect adjacent gyri (convolutions) within a single lobe of the brain. They facilitate the integration of sensory and motor information within a specific brain region.
Long association fibers, on the other hand, connect different lobes or large areas of the cerebral cortex within the same hemisphere. These fibers play a crucial role in the transmission and integration of information between different brain regions involved in complex cognitive processes.
Arcuate fibers are a special type of association fibers that form curved bundles connecting different areas within the same hemisphere. They allow communication between frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes and are particularly associated with language processing and comprehension.
Overall, association fibers are essential for the coordination and integration of information throughout the brain, enabling complex cognitive processes and ensuring the smooth functioning of the nervous system.
Longitudinal commissural fibers, short-path fibers, nerve fibers originating from cells in the gray matter of the spinal cord which pass upward or downward in one of the tracts of the white columns to reenter the gray matter; they form a connection between different segments of the cord.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "association" comes from the Latin word "associāre", which means "to unite or join together". "Fibers" refers to the thread-like structures in the body. In the context of neuroscience, "association fibers" specifically refer to the neural fibers that connect different regions within the same hemisphere of the brain, allowing for communication and integration of information. The term "association fibers" combines these two concepts to describe these connecting neural pathways.