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

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 )

Compare meaning

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

• afferent vs. efferent

Example Sentences

They constrict the efferent arterioles, causing the flow of blood into the nephrons to stop.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

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

This activates efferent neurons to release acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junctions, producing detrusor contraction and bladder emptying.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 15.6 Comparison of Somatic and Visceral Reflexes The afferent inputs to somatic and visceral reflexes are essentially the same, whereas the efferent branches are different.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Every efferent neuron in his system carried the message full power.

From The K-Factor by Harrison, Harry