Parallel fiber
Parallel fiber
Parallel fibers (pronunciation: /ˈparəˌlel ˈfībər/) are a type of neuron found in the cerebellum, a part of the brain that plays a crucial role in motor control. They are so named because they run parallel to one another in the cerebellar cortex.
Etymology
The term "parallel fiber" is derived from the Latin parallēlus, meaning "side by side", and the Old English fibre, meaning "thread". This is a reference to the way these fibers are arranged in the cerebellum.
Function
Parallel fibers are the axons of granule cells, which are the most numerous type of neuron in the brain. They ascend into the molecular layer of the cerebellum, where they split into two branches that run parallel to the surface of the cerebellum. These fibers make contact with the dendrites of Purkinje cells, another type of neuron in the cerebellum, and transmit signals to them.
Related Terms
- Neuron: A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
- Cerebellum: The part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates, which coordinates and regulates muscular activity.
- Granule cell: A type of neuron that is found in the cerebellum, the hippocampus, and the olfactory bulb.
- Purkinje cell: A type of neuron in the cerebellar cortex in the brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Parallel fiber
- Wikipedia's article - Parallel fiber
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