NEURON Meaning and
Definition
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A neuron is a specialized cell, also known as a nerve cell, that is considered to be the fundamental building block of the nervous system. It is responsible for transmitting and processing information throughout the body. Neurons have a unique structure that allows them to perform their essential functions.
A typical neuron consists of three main components: the cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and other essential organelles required for the neuron's survival. Dendrites are branching projections that receive signals or information from other neurons and transmit them towards the cell body. The axon is a long, slender projection that carries signals away from the cell body and transmits them to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Neurons function through the transmission of electrochemical signals, allowing them to communicate with each other over long distances. When a neuron is stimulated, it generates an electrical impulse known as an action potential, which travels rapidly down the axon. At the end of the axon, specialized structures called synapses allow the release of chemical messengers, known as neurotransmitters, into the synapse. These neurotransmitters then bridge the gap between neurons, transmitting signals from one neuron to the next.
Neurons play a crucial role in various processes, such as sensory perception, motor control, memory storage, and cognitive functions. They form complex networks and pathways, enabling the communication and integration of information in the nervous system. Due to these intricate connections, neurons are vital components that contribute to the overall functioning and coordination of the human body.
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1. The morohological unit of the nervous system, consisting of the nerve-cell body and its various processes, the dendrites and the axis-cylinder process or neuraxon. 2. The axis-cylinder process of a nerve-cell, a neuraxon. 3. The cerebrospinal axis (obsolete).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of NEURON
The word "neuron" comes from the Greek word "neuron", which means "sinew" or "tendon". It was originally used by the ancient Greek anatomist and physician Herophilus in the 4th century BCE to describe the nerve fibers he observed in the human body. The term was later adopted by other Greek scholars, such as Galen and Aristotle, to refer to various types of nerves and nerve-related structures.
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