Afferent nerve fibers
Definition:
Sensory neurons that carry messages inward to the central nervous system from the cells in the periphery of the body.
Background:
The cell bodies of almost every axon that bring sensory information into the brain and spinal cord are located outside the central nervous system. Afferent means "coming into or toward a structure" and afferent nerve fibers carry sensory information from the periphery toward the CNS.
Further Reading:
Carlson, N. R. (1990). Physiology of Behavior. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Kalat, J. W. (1992). Biological Psychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Pinel, J. P.L. (1990). Biopsychology. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Related Terms:
Efferent nerve fibers
Self-Instructional Resource:
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