Neural pathways
Neural Pathways
Neural pathways, or neuronal pathways, are series of neurons connected together to carry out a specific function when activated. They are the primary means of long-distance neuronal communication in the nervous system.
Pronunciation
- /ˈnʊərəl ˈpeɪθweɪz/
Etymology
The term "neural" is derived from the Greek word "neuron" meaning "nerve" and "pathway" is from the Old English "paþ" meaning "path".
Structure and Function
Neural pathways are composed of axons, which are long, slender projections of neurons. These axons connect different regions of the brain and spinal cord, allowing for communication between them. The function of a neural pathway is determined by its connections and the types of neurons it contains.
Types of Neural Pathways
There are three main types of neural pathways:
- Afferent pathways carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors towards the central nervous system.
- Efferent pathways carry nerve impulses away from the central nervous system towards the effector organs.
- Interneuron pathways are located entirely within the central nervous system and serve to connect the afferent and efferent pathways.
Related Terms
- Neuron
- Axon
- Nervous system
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Afferent pathways
- Efferent pathways
- Interneuron pathways
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neural pathways
- Wikipedia's article - Neural pathways
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