Efferent: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿง 
Add to dictionary

efferent

 

[ หˆefษ™rษ™nt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

anatomy terminology

Efferent refers to any nerve or blood vessel that conveys signals or fluid away from a structure, such as a gland or the central nervous system. In the context of the nervous system, efferent neurons carry motor commands from the brain to the body, initiating movement.

Synonyms

exiting, outgoing

Examples of usage

  • Efferent neurons transmit signals from the brain to the muscles.
  • The efferent pathway is crucial for motor function.
  • In an efferent nerve, information moves away from the central nervous system.
  • Efferent blood vessels help carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.
Context #2 | Adjective

biological processes

In biology, efferent refers to structures or functions that move substances away from an organ or part. For example, efferent lymphatic vessels transport lymph away from lymph nodes, playing a key role in the immune response.

Synonyms

dispersing, distributing

Examples of usage

  • Efferent lymph vessels carry lymph away from the lymph nodes.
  • The efferent ductules transport sperm away from the testes.
  • Efferent vessels are important for maintaining fluid balance.
  • The efferent arterioles help regulate blood flow in the kidneys.

Translations

Translations of the word "efferent" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น eferente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคตเคพเคนเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช efferent

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ eferen

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะตั„ะตั€ะตะฝั‚ะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ eferentny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้‹ๅ‹•็ฅž็ตŒใฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉfรฉrent

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ eferente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท afferent

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ตฌ์‹ฌ์„ฑ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูุคูŽุซู‘ูุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ eferentnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ eferentnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไผ ๅ‡บ็ฅž็ป็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ eferentni

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ afrennt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัั„ะตั€ะตะฝั‚ั‚ั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ”แƒคแƒ”แƒ แƒ”แƒœแƒขแƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ eferent

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ eferente

Etymology

The term 'efferent' originates from the Latin word 'efferens', which is the present participle of 'efferre'. This Latin verb means 'to bring forth, carry out,' combining 'ex' (out of) and 'ferre' (to carry). The use of the term in anatomical contexts gained prominence in early medical and biological texts to specify the direction of nerve impulses and bodily fluids. 'Efferent' was first employed in the realm of physiology and anatomy to differentiate from 'afferent', which denotes pathways that carry signals or fluid toward an organ or part. By the late 19th century, the term became standardized in biological literature, where it helped clarify the functional dynamics within complex systems such as neural networks and circulatory pathways. The distinction between afferent and efferent pathways remains crucial in understanding various physiological processes, particularly in neurology and the study of cardiovascular relations.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,211, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.