Spinal interneuron

Spinal Interneuron

The Spinal Interneuron is a type of neuron that is located within the spinal cord. These neurons are responsible for transmitting signals between sensory neurons and motor neurons. They play a crucial role in the nervous system, particularly in the process of reflex arcs and neural circuits.

Etymology

The term "interneuron" is derived from the Latin words "inter", meaning "between", and "neuron", meaning "nerve". Thus, the term literally means "nerve between", which accurately describes the function of these neurons as intermediaries between sensory and motor neurons.

Function

Spinal interneurons function as the intermediary in the neural pathway, transmitting signals from sensory neurons to motor neurons. They are involved in the processing of information in the spinal cord and play a crucial role in the reflex arc, a neural pathway that controls a reflex action.

In addition to their role in the reflex arc, spinal interneurons are also involved in the formation of neural circuits. These circuits are complex networks of interconnected neurons that are responsible for the processing and transmission of information in the nervous system.

Related Terms

• Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
• Sensory Neuron: A type of neuron that transmits signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.
• Motor Neuron: A type of neuron that transmits signals from the central nervous system to the muscles.
• Reflex Arc: A neural pathway that controls a reflex action.
• Neural Circuit: A complex network of interconnected neurons that are responsible for the processing and transmission of information in the nervous system.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Nervous System
• Neural Network

Spinal interneuron Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.