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

Examples of motor neuron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For Raban a hard, deep solace came in the work of Judt, whose clear mind endured through his decline from a motor neuron disease, ALS, until his death in 2010. —Colin Thubron, The New York Review of Books, 19 Jan. 2023

At 22, Mallon's arms slowly became paralyzed due to motor neuron disease. —Georgia Slater, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024

Every year, some 64,000 people worldwide develop motor neuron disease, one of the more common causes of such entrapment. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2022

There was a weaker apparent association between elevated biological age and Alzheimer’s disease and other motor neuron diseases, which include progressive spinal muscular atrophy and primary lateral sclerosis. —Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 6 Nov. 2023

That same unstoppable genius is central to The Theory of Everything, a biographical drama whose central figure, Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), didn't let his body breaking down from motor neuron disease prevent him from unlocking the secret of the universe's creation. —Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 27 July 2023

As a young student at the University of Cambridge, just beginning to formulate a theory of how the cosmos may have formed from a black hole, he is diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative motor neuron disease, and given two years to live. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2023

The combination of both upper and lower motor neuron symptoms should lead to a consideration of ALS, especially when symptoms get progressively worse. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 20 Apr. 2023

Svendsen is more optimistic about his team’s work involving human tests of a novel stem cell approach to treat ALS, a degenerative motor neuron disease in which cells that transmit messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles wither or die. —Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2019

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