cell body

noun

: the nucleus-containing central part of a neuron exclusive of its axons and dendrites that is the major structural element of the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord, the ganglia, and the retina see neuron illustration

Examples of cell body in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers looked specifically at where gray matter (the body of a neuron) intersects with white matter (the long axons that project out of the cell body) — an area thought to be particularly vulnerable to head impacts. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025

For example, some inhibitory cells prefer to send signals to another neuron’s little branches called dendrites, while others send signals to a neuron’s cell body. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025

Helping reroute protein synthesis from the axon tips to the main cell body to boost regrowth. —New Atlas, 13 July 2025

This premature shrinkage is concerning because gray matter houses the majority of your brain's neuronal cell bodies. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cell body

• blackbody
• embody
• samadhi
• somebody
• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• gaudy
• khadi

Kids Definition

cell body

noun

: the central part of a neuron that includes the nucleus but not the axons and dendrites

Medical Definition

cell body

noun

: the nucleus-containing central part of a neuron exclusive of its axons and dendrites that is the major structural element of the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord, the ganglia, and the retina

called also perikaryon, soma