motor unit

noun

, Cell Biology, Physiology.

1. a motor neuron and the muscle fibers innervated by its axon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of motor unit¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The only part of this immersion blender that is not dishwasher safe is the motor unit.

From Popular-Science

With age, some motor units get disconnected, which is bad because the orphaned muscle fibers become useless.

From Outside Online

The good news is that, if you remain physically active, neurons from other motor units will sprout new connections to add the orphaned muscle fibers to their existing bundle.

From Outside Online

Over time, you end up with fewer motor units overall, with each motor unit containing a larger number of muscle fibers.

From Outside Online

The flexibility of the gasolene-motor unit is indeed astounding.

From Project Gutenberg

The upshot of it was that somebody reported him, and the officer in command of his "motor-unit" read him a stern lecture.

From Project Gutenberg

He wrote a letter to the officer in command of his motor-unit, telling what had happened to him, and couldn't it be arranged?

From Project Gutenberg

For the moment we have permitted ourselves to drift away from the gasolene-motor unit upon the railroad track.

From Project Gutenberg