Nerve fiber
Nerve Fiber (pronunciation: /nɜːrv faɪbər/) is a long, slender projection of a neuron that typically conducts electrical impulses known as action potentials away from the neuron's cell body. The function of a nerve fiber is to transmit information over long distances within the body.
Etymology
The term "nerve fiber" is derived from the Latin nervus meaning "sinew, tendon, nerve" and the Old English fifer meaning "something spun into a long strand".
Types of Nerve Fibers
Nerve fibers are classified into three types based on their structure, conduction velocity, and the nature of the transmitted signal. These include:
- Afferent nerve fibers: These fibers carry sensory information from the body's tissues and organs back to the brain and spinal cord.
- Efferent nerve fibers: These fibers carry motor commands from the brain and spinal cord to the body's tissues and organs.
- Interneurons: These fibers connect various neurons within the brain and spinal cord.
Related Terms
- Neuron: The basic working unit of the brain, a specialized cell designed to transmit information to other nerve cells, muscle, or gland cells.
- Axon: A long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
- Myelin: A fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axons of some neurons, allowing for faster transmission of electrical signals.
- Schwann Cell: A variety of glial cell that keep peripheral nerve fibers alive.
- Node of Ranvier: A small gap in the myelin sheath of a nerve, between adjacent Schwann cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nerve fiber
- Wikipedia's article - Nerve fiber
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