Efferent neuron

Efferent Neurons

An Efferent neuron (also known as a motor neuron) is a type of neuron that conducts signals away from the central nervous system towards the peripheral effector organs such as muscles and glands. This is in contrast to afferent neurons, which transmit signals from peripheral sensory organs to the central nervous system.

Function

Efferent neurons are responsible for conveying commands from the central nervous system to the effector organs (muscles and glands) in the body. These commands result in a physical response such as movement or the secretion of hormones. The process of transmitting these commands is known as motor function.

Structure

Like all neurons, efferent neurons have a cell body (soma), axon, and dendrites. The cell body contains the nucleus of the neuron and is responsible for the maintenance of the cell. The axon is a long, slender projection that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body. The dendrites are short, branched extensions of the neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them towards the cell body.

Classification

Efferent neurons can be classified based on their target effector organs. For example, somatic motor neurons innervate skeletal muscles, while autonomic motor neurons innervate smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands.

Clinical significance

Damage to efferent neurons can result in a variety of neurological disorders, including motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

See also

• Afferent neurons
• Motor function
• Neuron
• Central nervous system
• Peripheral nervous system