What it means
Each neuronNOOR-onA nerve cell: a cell that carries electrical and chemical signals through the nervous system.neur/o nerveFull entry has one axon, which can be very short or longer than a meter, reaching from the spinal cord to the foot. At its end it releases neurotransmitterNOOR-oh-trans-mit-erA chemical that a nerve cell releases to pass a signal to another nerve, muscle or gland cell.neur/o nervetrans- acrossmitt send-er one that doesFull entry that pass the signal to the next cell. Many axons are wrapped in myelin, a fatty covering that makes signals travel faster; in multiple sclerosisMUL-tih-pul skluh-ROH-sisA long-term disease in which the immune system damages the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.scler/o hard-osis conditionFull entry that covering is damaged.
At a glance
| Spanish | axón |
|---|---|
| Also written | axons, axonal |
Related terms
multiple sclerosis
A long-term disease in which the immune system damages the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
neurotransmitter
A chemical that a nerve cell releases to pass a signal to another nerve, muscle or gland cell.
neuron
A nerve cell: a cell that carries electrical and chemical signals through the nervous system.
peripheral neuropathy
Damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, most often in the feet and hands.