afferent
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
-
Carrying sensory information toward a central organ or part, as a nerve that conducts impulses from the periphery of the body to the central nervous system.
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Compare efferent
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of afferent
1830–40; < Latin afferent- (stem of afferēns, present participle of afferre ), equivalent to af- af- + fer- (stem of ferre to carry) + -ent- -ent
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Once the afferent arterioles are constricted, blood flow into the nephrons stops.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Stimulation of the sensory receptor activates the associated afferent neuron, which carries information about the stimulus to the central nervous system.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Outer hair cells connect to only 10 percent of the afferent neurons, and each afferent neuron innervates many hair cells.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Efferent synapses occur on outer hair cells and on afferent dendrites under inner hair cells.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
From the gills the afferent branchials carry the blood to the median dorsal aorta.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various
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