neuron
/ˈnjʊərɒn
/(also neurone /ˈnjʊərəʊn/) Usage
noun
A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.It is made up from millions of nerve cells called neurones that control your body's functions, senses and thoughts....
- The thalamus (of which there is one on each side) is a large and important mass of nerve cells or neurons.
- These are cells which can be the raw material for all sorts of organs and tissues, from the pancreas to nerve cells, or neurones in the brain, to heart cells.
Usage
In scientific sources the standard spelling is neuron. The spelling neurone is generally restricted to non-technical contexts, but note that it is usual in motor neurone disease.
Derivatives
neuronic
- Every habit of thought and feeling is capable of being expressed in terms of neuronic physiology or morphology.
- A third and important realization is that the action exerted by a neuronic cell upon a certain synapse and therefore the contributory effects exerted upon a certain synapse are weighted.
- Single element as well as arrays of neuronic antennas have been fabricated so that radiation properties can be measured in the frequency bands available in our laboratory.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Greek neuron, special use of the literal sense 'sinew, tendon'. See nerve.