motor neuron

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of motor neuron

: 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

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Recent Examples of motor neuron from the Web

The axon from one spinal cord motor neuron branches and makes a small cluster of muscle fibers contract together.

— r. douglas fields, Scientific American, "Wristband Lets the Brain Control a Computer with a Thought and a Twitch," 27 Mar. 2018
As a 21-year-old student at Camdridge University, Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuron disease and was given only two years to live.

— grace gavilanes, PEOPLE.com, "Professor Stephen Hawking Dies at 76: His Life in Photos," 14 Mar. 2018
Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS is a fatal, motor neuron disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.

— Fox News, "Stephen Hawking, famed physicist, dead at 76," 14 Mar. 2018
Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neuron disease, the condition damages the nerves that control movement and results in paralysis.

— daniela hernandez, WSJ, "Stephen Hawking, Who Bridged Science and Popular Culture, Dies at Age 76," 14 Mar. 2018
Hawking famously suffered from motor neuron disease, with which he was diagnosed at age 21.

— andrew moseman, Popular Mechanics, "Stephen Hawking Dead at 76," 14 Mar. 2018
The motor neuron disease is usually fatal just a few years after diagnosis—but the genius physicist survived for decades.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "How Stephen Hawking Was Able to Live for So Long With ALS," 14 Mar. 2018
Hawking, who suffered from the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is survived by his three children.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "The Quick Read: 'Power' Renewed For Sixth Season As Show Gears Up For Season Five Return," 14 Mar. 2018
Several gene switches found in tetrapods, which are important for the development and function of motor neurons that control tetrapods limbs, are active in those controlling the skates’ fins too, the scientists found.

— steph yin, New York Times, "These Skates Are Made for Walking," 8 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'motor neuron.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of motor neuron

1898

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

motor neuron

noun

medical Definition of motor neuron

: 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