motor neuron

noun

: a neuron that passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion toward a muscle and conducts an impulse that causes movement

called also motoneuron

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

This patient showed clear signs of motor neuron disease, which occurs in up to 15% of FTD cases. —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 Sep. 2010

The number of synaptic connections (called varicosities) between the sensory and the motor neuron increased rapidly after 5HT 'training'. —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2014

Pruitt, who has a rare motor neuron disease called Kennedy’s disease, uses an electric scooter to get around and lives in a mobile home. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2022

These proteins play a large part in the formation of motor neuron diseases. —Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 14 June 2022

The four types of SMA are ranked by severity and related to how much motor neuron protein a person’s cells can still produce. —Jim Daley, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2021

Among them are Insilico Medicine, Kebotix and BenevolentAI; the last recently raised $115 million to extend its AI technology to the discovery of drugs for motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s and other hard-to-treat disorders. —Jeff Carbeck, Scientific American, 14 Sep. 2018

Will Forest’s battle with an unclassified motor neuron disease progressed far more quickly than anyone expected. —Alexei Koseff, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Aug. 2021

These proteins essentially function as an off button for motor neuron plasticity. —Sarah Degenova Ackerman, The Conversation, 12 Apr. 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

motor neuron

noun

: a neuron that passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion toward or to a muscle and carries a nerve impulse that causes movement compare sensory neuron

Medical Definition

motor neuron

noun

: a neuron that passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion toward or to a muscle and conducts a nerve impulse that causes movement

called also motoneuron

compare interneuron, sensory neuron