efferent

American  

[ef-er-uhnt] / ˈɛf ər ənt /

adjective

1. conveying or conducting away from an organ or part (opposed to afferent).

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noun

1. an efferent part, as a nerve or blood vessel.

efferent British  

/ ˈɛfərənt /

adjective

1. carrying or conducting outwards from a part or an organ of the body, esp from the brain or spinal cord Compare afferent

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efferent Scientific  

/ ĕf′ər-ənt /

1. Carrying motor impulses away from a central organ or part, as a nerve that conducts impulses from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body.

2. Compare afferent

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Other Word Forms

• efference
  noun
• efferently
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of efferent

1830–40; < Latin efferent- (stem of efferēns carrying off, present participle of efferre ), equivalent to ef- ef- + ferent- carrying ( fer- carry + -ent- -ent )

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Compare meaning

How does efferent compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• afferent vs. efferent

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

efferent

The branch that exits the glomerulus is called the efferent arteriole.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Recall that the DCT is in intimate contact with the afferent and efferent arterioles of the glomerulus.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

A long reflex has afferent branches that enter the spinal cord or brain and involve the efferent branches, as previously explained.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The central autonomic structure is the hypothalamus, which coordinates sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent pathways to regulate activities of the organ systems of the body.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The larva is often found in considerable numbers clinging to the oscula and wide efferent canals of S. carteri, its proboscis inserted into the substance of the sponge.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Nelson Annandale

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