ASSOCIATION TRACT Meaning and
Definition
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Association tracts refer to bundles of nerve fibers or axons that connect different regions or areas within the same cerebral hemisphere of the brain. These tracts are responsible for facilitating communication and integration of information between various regions involved in higher cognitive processes, sensory perception, and motor coordination.
In the brain, information processing occurs through a series of interconnected networks. Association tracts play a crucial role in these networks as they link different regions within a specific hemisphere, allowing for the transfer and integration of information between these areas.
Association tracts are categorized into two main types: short association fibers and long association fibers. Short association fibers connect adjacent gyri (raised folds of the brain surface) within the same lobe, facilitating local information processing and coordination. On the other hand, long association fibers connect different lobes and facilitate integration of information between diverse regions.
These tracts are formed by bundles of axons, which are the long, slender fibers of nerve cells responsible for transmitting electrical impulses between neurons. They are myelinated, meaning they are covered by a protective fatty substance called myelin sheath, which helps in the efficient and rapid transmission of nerve signals.
Understanding the organization and functioning of association tracts has immense significance in the study of brain structure and function. Disruptions or damage to these tracts can result in various neurological conditions and impairments, such as language disorders, memory deficits, or difficulties in motor coordination. Studying association tracts helps shed light on the intricate connectivity and interplay of different brain regions, contributing to our understanding of human cognition and behavior.
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A bundle of nerve-fibers connecting neighboring or distant parts of the same hemisphere of the brain.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ASSOCIATION TRACT
- zssociation tract
- sssociation tract
- wssociation tract
- qssociation tract
- aasociation tract
- azsociation tract
- axsociation tract
- adsociation tract
- aesociation tract
- awsociation tract
- asaociation tract
- aszociation tract
- asxociation tract
- asdociation tract
- aseociation tract
- aswociation tract
- assiciation tract
- asskciation tract
- asslciation tract
- asspciation tract
Etymology of ASSOCIATION TRACT
The etymology of the word "association" traces back to the Latin word "associatio", which means "a joining or uniting together". This Latin term is derived from the verb "associare", which combines "ad" (meaning "to" or "towards") and "sociare" (meaning "to join" or "to unite").
The term "tract" has an etymology rooted in the Latin word "tractus", which means "a drawing, dragging, or pulling". This Latin term is derived from the verb "trahere", which means "to draw" or "to pull".
Therefore, the term "association tract" refers to a bundle of nerve fibers that join or connect different regions or areas of the brain, facilitating the association or integration of information between these regions.
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