NEURAL PATHWAY Meaning and
Definition
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A neural pathway refers to a route or a series of connections within the nervous system that enables the transmission of electrical signals between different parts of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. It encompasses the web of interconnected neurons, or nerve cells, which send and receive information, allowing the brain and body to communicate and function.
These pathways can be comprised of both long-distance connections, which span across different regions of the brain or body, and short-distance connections, which occur within a specific region. Neural pathways play a fundamental role in various physiological and cognitive processes, including sensory perception, motor control, learning, and memory formation.
The transmission of signals along a neural pathway is facilitated by specialized cells called neurons, which use electrical impulses and chemical signals to relay information. Neurons are interconnected through synapses, tiny junctions where signals are transmitted from the axon of one neuron to the dendrites of another. This intricate network of connections allows for the efficient and rapid communication required for the functioning of the nervous system.
The development and maintenance of neural pathways are influenced by both genetic factors and experience. The repeated use of a particular pathway can strengthen the connections between neurons, making it more efficient and promoting the formation of memories or learned behaviors. On the other hand, disuse or damage to a neural pathway can lead to its degradation or loss, affecting various aspects of cognition, movement, and sensation.
Common Misspellings for NEURAL PATHWAY
- beural pathway
- meural pathway
- jeural pathway
- heural pathway
- nwural pathway
- nsural pathway
- ndural pathway
- nrural pathway
- n4ural pathway
- n3ural pathway
- neyral pathway
- nehral pathway
- nejral pathway
- neiral pathway
- ne8ral pathway
- ne7ral pathway
- neueal pathway
- neudal pathway
- neufal pathway
- neutal pathway
Etymology of NEURAL PATHWAY
The word "neural" comes from the Greek word "neuron", meaning "sinew" or "nerve". It refers to the basic unit of the nervous system, the nerve cell. The word "pathway" comes from the Middle English word "pathewai", which originated from the Old English word "paþweg", combining "paþ" meaning "path" or "course" and "weg" meaning "way" or "road". Therefore, the term "neural pathway" combines "neural" to indicate its association with nerves or the nervous system and "pathway" to describe its function as a route or course along which neural signals or information travels.
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