motor neuron

American  

noun

Cell Biology, Physiology.

1. a nerve cell that conducts impulses to a muscle, gland, or other effector.

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Etymology

Origin of motor neuron

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by a gene mutation that affects motor neurons, the cells that control muscle movement.

From Barron's

"Although this mutation is found in every cell in the body, it seems to primarily affect motor neurons," Ding explained.

From Science Daily

What is remembered and honored is his response to the ultimate “failure”: a failure of upper and lower motor neurons to make necessary connections that ultimately leads to rapidly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.

From Los Angeles Times

It's remarkably different from the simple three neuron types classification — motor neurons, sensory neurons, and interneurons — one might have learned in a cursory overview of brain science.

From Salon

Gaynor remembered him as humble and almost classically nerdy, happy to spend hours on the phone explaining how motor neurons work.

From Salon