Main Entry: neu·ron

Pronunciation: \ˈn(y)ü-ˌrän, ˈn(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌän\

Variant(s): also neu·rone \-ˌrōn, -ˌōn\

Function: noun

: one of the cells that constitute nervous tissue, that have the property of transmitting and receiving nervous impulses, and that are composed of somewhat reddish or grayish protoplasm with a large nucleus containing a conspicuous nucleolus, irregular cytoplasmic granules, and cytoplasmic processes which are highly differentiated frequently as multiple dendrites or usually as solitary axons and which conduct impulses toward and away from the nerve cell body—called also nerve cell

[neuron illustration]

—neu·ro·nal \ˈn(y)u̇r-ən-^əl, n(y)u̇-ˈrōn-^əl\ also neu·ron·ic \n(y)u̇-ˈrän-ik\ adjective