nerve cell

noun

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of nerve cell

1 : a grayish or reddish granular cell with specialized processes that is the fundamental functional unit of nervous tissue transmitting and receiving nerve impulses : neuron

2 : cell body

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Recent Examples of nerve cell from the Web

Many of the differences in the genomes of nerve cells are due to the presence of mobile genetic elements called retrotransposons.

— robert martone, Scientific American, "Early Life Experience: It’s in Your DNA," 10 July 2018
Eyes contain nerve cells that can be split into two categories: ocular rods and ocular cones.

— Southern Living, "10 Things You Should Know About Your Dog," 3 July 2018
The virus goes dormant in the nerve cells only to be reactivated years later.

— mari a. schaefer, Philly.com, "Looking for the new shingles vaccine Shingrix? Not all Philadelphia pharmacies have it," 29 June 2018
There, she was reportedly diagnosed with the rare immune disorder that attacks nerve cells and causes muscle weakness or paralysis.

— alexandria hein, Fox News, "Arizona student paralyzed by rare disorder while on vacation in Spain," 13 June 2018
The ragged extensions of an oligodendrocyte can supply many neurons (nerve cells) with myelin, an insulating material which allows each neuron's communicating axon to transmit electrical impulses efficiently.

— doug criss, CNN, "5 things for March 28: North Korea & China, Sacramento, water park death, new organ," 28 Mar. 2018
The disease is a progressive neurological one that leads to the damage and eventual death of nerve cells involved in movement.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Under “right-to-try” law, therapy may go for $300K—with no proof it will work," 22 June 2018
The rare cancer, which forms in certain nerves cells of infants, was found in her heart.

— charlotte carroll, SI.com, "Alex Reyes Reveals 1-Year-Old Daughter is Battling Cancer," 12 June 2018
Schwannomas arise from nerve cells called Schwann cells, which are part of the peripheral nervous system.

— sandra g. boodman, Washington Post, "At night she suffered through searing pain, by morning it mysteriously vanished," 26 May 2018

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