axon

[ak-son] /ˈæk sɒn/
noun
1.
Cell Biology. the appendage of the neuron that transmits impulses away from the cell body.
Also, axone
[ak-sohn] /ˈæk soʊn/ (Show IPA).
Origin
1835-45; < Neo-Latin < Greek áxōn an axle, axis; akin to Latin axis
Related forms
axonal
[ak-suh-nl, ‐son-l] /ˈæk sə nl, ‐ˌsɒn l/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for axon
  • There may be damage to the axon part of the nerve cell, which interferes with nerve signals.
  • The junction between an axon and a dendrite is called a synapse.
  • While a myelin coating greatly accelerates an axon's bandwidth, it also inhibits the growth of new branches from the axon.
  • Down to a neuron's axon and molecules, the nerve cell is designed to be an information carrier.
  • By studying squid, we've learned that inside the axon of a human neuron is a city that never sleeps.
  • The amount of interactions to the dendrites and body, and its frequencies, shape the type and rate of firing of the axon.
  • Small multipolar cell, in which the axon quickly divides into numerous branches.
  • Each triangular cell gives off two or three dendrites, from one of which the axon arises.
  • Instead of recoiling smoothly, the axon develops kinks.
  • As the axon reaches its designated muscle, it branches out, and each tip extends to an individual muscle fiber.
British Dictionary definitions for axon

axon

/ˈæksɒn/
noun
1.
the long threadlike extension of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses from the cell body Compare dendrite
Derived Forms
axonal, adjective
Word Origin
C19: via New Latin from Greek: axis, axle, vertebra
Word Origin and History for axon
n.

"axis of the vertebrate body," 1842, from Greek axon "axis" (see axis).

axon in Medicine

axon ax·on (āk'sŏn') or ax·one (-sōn')
n.
The usually long process of a nerve fiber that generally conducts impulses away from the body of the nerve cell.

ax'on·al (āk'sə-nəl, āk-sŏn'əl) adj.
axon in Science
axon
  (āk'sŏn')   
The long portion of a neuron that conducts impulses away from the body of the cell. Also called nerve fiber.
axon in Culture

axon definition


The part of a nerve cell or neuron that transfers a nerve impulse from the nerve cell body to a synapse with another cell. (See action potential.) Depending on the location of the cell, the length of an axon can vary widely. In some cases (such as the axons that form the spinal cord), they may be several feet long.

Encyclopedia Article for axon

portion of a nerve cell (neuron) that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body. A neuron typically has one axon that connects it with other neurons or with muscle or gland cells. Some axons may be quite long, reaching, for example, from the spinal cord down to a toe. Most axons of vertebrates are enclosed in a myelin sheath, which increases the speed of impulse transmission; some large axons may transmit impulses at speeds up to 90 metres (300 feet) per second.

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