afferent

/ˈæfərənt/

Other forms: afferents

Definitions of afferent

1. adjective

   of nerves and nerve impulses; conveying sensory information from the sense organs to the CNS
   “afferent nerves”

   “afferent impulses”

   synonyms:

   centripetal, receptive, sensory

   of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the central nervous system

   corticipetal, corticoafferent

   of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the cerebral cortex

   antonyms:

   efferent

   of nerves and nerve impulses; conveying information away from the CNS

   centrifugal, motor

   conveying information to the muscles from the CNS

   corticifugal, corticoefferent, corticofugal

   of a nerve fiber passing outward from the cerebral cortex

   neuromotor

   relating to a nerve fiber or impulse passing toward motor effectors
2. noun

   a nerve that passes impulses from receptors toward or to the central nervous system
   synonyms: afferent nerve, sensory nerve

   types:

   dorsal horn, dorsal root

   one of the two roots of a spinal nerve that passes dorsally to the spinal cord and that consists of sensory fibers

   fillet, lemniscus

   a bundle of sensory nerve fibers going to the thalamus

   type of:

   nerve, nervus

   any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body