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Conducting (fluid or a nerve impulse) outward from a given organ or part thereof; e.g., the e. connections of a group of nerve cells, e. blood vessel s, or the excretory duct of an organ. [L. efferens, fr. effero, to bring out]
- gamma e. the thin axon of a gamma motor neuron innervating the intrafusal muscle fibers of a muscle spindle.
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ef·fer·ent 'ef-ə-rənt; 'ef-.er-ənt, 'ē-.fer- adj conducting outward from a part or organ specif conveying nervous impulses to an effector <\efferent neurons> compare AFFERENT
ef·fer·ent·ly adv
efferent n an efferent part (as a blood vessel or nerve fiber)
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adj.
1. designating nerves or neurones that convey impulses from the brain or spinal cord to muscles, glands, and other effectors; i.e. any motor nerve or neurone.
2. designating vessels or ducts that drain fluid (such as lymph) from an organ or part. Compare afferent.
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ef·fer·ent (efґər-ənt) [L. ex out + ferre to bear] 1. conveying away from a center; called also centrifugal. 2. something that so conducts; see under fiber and nerve. Cf. corticifugal.Medical dictionary. 2011.