neuron

American  

[noor-on, nyoor-] / ˈnʊər ɒn, ˈnyʊər- /

especially British, neurone

noun

1. Cell Biology. a specialized, impulse-conducting cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system, consisting of the cell body and its processes, the axon and dendrites.

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neuron Scientific  

/ nr′ŏn′ /

1. A cell of the nervous system. Neurons typically consist of a cell body, which contains a nucleus and receives incoming nerve impulses, and an axon, which carries impulses away from the cell body.

2. Also called nerve cell

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Other Word Forms

• neuronal adjective

Etymology

Origin of neuron

First recorded in 1880–85, neuron is from the Greek word neûron sinew, cord, nerve

Example Sentences

When an irritant gets on your skin, a biochemical process activates sensory neurons that make you itchy.

From The Wall Street Journal

These cells are designed to replace damaged neurons and generate dopamine.

From Science Daily

They examined grey matter, which consists of neuron cell bodies and is often described as the brain’s “thinking” tissue.

From Science Daily

The team traced these changes to astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain that support neurons.

From Science Daily

The injured tissue produced substantial neurite outgrowth, meaning the long extensions that allow neurons to communicate began growing again.

From Science Daily