AFFERENCE Meaning and
Definition
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Afference is a term used predominantly in the field of neuroscience to describe the flow of information from the body's periphery to the central nervous system. It refers to the transmission of sensory signals from sensory receptors located throughout the body to the brain and spinal cord. Afferent pathways carry vital information from various sensory modalities, such as touch, pain, temperature, pressure, and proprioception, allowing the brain to perceive and interpret these sensations.
Afference is a fundamental concept in understanding sensory processing, as it elucidates how sensory information is communicated and integrated within the central nervous system. Through afferent pathways, sensory signals are encoded as electrical impulses which travel via nerves to specific regions of the brain for processing and analysis.
Afferent pathways are composed of neurons, known as afferent neurons or sensory neurons, which have specialized receptor structures at their peripheral endings to detect and transduce sensory stimuli into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted along nerve fibers towards the central nervous system, ultimately reaching specific regions within the brain that are responsible for further processing and perception of the sensory information.
In summary, afference refers to the transmission of sensory signals from the body's peripheral receptors to the central nervous system, enabling the brain to perceive and interpret various sensory modalities. It plays a crucial role in sensory processing, allowing individuals to recognize and respond to their environment.
Common Misspellings for AFFERENCE
- wfference
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- effernce
- efference
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- zfference
- qfference
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- afderence
- afcerence
- afverence
- afgerence
- afterence
- afrerence
Etymology of AFFERENCE
The word "afference" comes from the Latin term "afferens", which is the present participle of the verb "afferre". "Afferre" is a compound word made up of "ad" (meaning "to" or "towards") and "ferre" (meaning "to carry" or "to bring"). Therefore, "afferens" can be translated as "carrying towards" or "bringing towards". "Afference" carries this meaning and is used in physiology to refer to the transmission of sensory information towards the central nervous system.
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