Afferent nerve fibers

Afferent Nerve Fibers

Afferent nerve fibers (pronunciation: /əˈfɛrənt/), also known as sensory nerve fibers, are a type of nerve fiber that carry sensory information from the body's periphery towards the central nervous system (CNS). The term "afferent" comes from Latin adferens, meaning 'carrying to'.

Etymology

The term "afferent" is derived from Latin afferens, from ad- ('to') and ferre ('to carry'). Thus, afferent nerve fibers are those that 'carry to' the central nervous system.

Function

Afferent nerve fibers are responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body to the CNS. This information can include touch, temperature, pain, and proprioceptive signals. The information is then processed by the CNS to generate appropriate responses.

Types

There are two main types of afferent nerve fibers:

• Somatic afferent fibers: These fibers transmit information from the skin, muscles, and joints to the CNS.
• Visceral afferent fibers: These fibers transmit information from the internal organs to the CNS.

Related Terms

• Efferent nerve fibers: These are the 'carrying away' counterparts to afferent fibers, transmitting motor commands from the CNS to the body.
• Nervous system: The complex network of nerves and cells that transmit signals between different parts of the body.
• Neuron: The basic working unit of the nervous system, which transmits and processes information.

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