Brain & Nervous System Health Center

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Neuron

A neuron is a nerve cell. Neurons send information to and from your brain to the rest of your body. A neuron is made up of:

A cell body. This is where the nucleus is.
Dendrites. The dendrites receive signals from other neurons.
A long, thin axon. The axon is covered by a myelin sheath. The axon passes information to the next neuron or other cell in the body.
A myelin sheath. Your nerve cells have a protective covering called myelin. Without myelin, the brain and spinal cord can't communicate with the nerves in the rest of the body.

There are different types of neurons. Sensory neurons send information from your senses (for example, touch or hearing) to your brain. Motor neurons send signals from the brain to the muscles.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Last Revised	February 18, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 18, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.