Efferent pathways

Efferent Pathways are a component of the nervous system that carry signals away from the central nervous system (CNS) towards the peripheral effector organs (such as muscles and glands). This is in contrast to afferent pathways, which carry signals towards the CNS.

Overview

Efferent pathways are part of the motor system, which is responsible for the control of voluntary and involuntary (reflex) movements. They are further divided into two main categories: the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary movements, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary movements.

Somatic Nervous System

The somatic nervous system is responsible for carrying motor commands from the CNS to the skeletal muscles. This system is under conscious control, allowing for voluntary movements. The efferent pathways in the somatic nervous system are typically composed of a single neuron, which originates in the motor cortex of the brain or the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, and extends all the way to the muscle fibers it innervates.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, and pupillary response. It is further divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The efferent pathways in the autonomic nervous system typically involve two neurons: a preganglionic neuron that originates in the CNS, and a postganglionic neuron that carries the signal to the effector organ.

Clinical Significance

Damage to efferent pathways can result in a variety of neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These conditions are typically characterized by motor deficits, such as tremors, rigidity, and muscle weakness.

See Also

• Motor neuron
• Motor cortex
• Neuroanatomy
• Neurophysiology