Words / B2

AKS-on/ˈæksɒn/

An axon is the long fibre of a neurone that carries impulses away from the cell body: a myelinated axon; axon terminal. A dendrite carries signals towards the cell body; a nerve is a bundle (already in the dictionary); synapse is the gap. Label the axon on the neurone diagram, then the myelin if shown. Mix-up: axon vs axis (already in the dictionary); oxen; do not write axon for the whole nerve trunk unless the source says so.

Meaning

The long fibre of a neurone that carries impulses away from the cell body.

Examples

• “Label the axon on the neurone diagram, then the myelin if shown, the biology paper said.”
• “Axon speed featured in the practical, which is the conduction sense — still quote m/s if given.”

Good to know

an axon; myelinated axon; axon terminal. Contrast: dendrite. Related: neurone / synapse / nerve (already in B1). Trap: axis (already in B2). Biology. The long fibre that carries a nerve impulse away — label myelin or quote m/s.

Near in meaning

nerve fibre, neurite, axis cylinder

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