anterior horn

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Explanation of "anterior horn"

Definition:
The term "anterior horn" refers to a specific part of the spinal cord. It is one of the two roots of a spinal nerve that comes from the front (or ventral side) of the spinal cord. The anterior horn contains motor fibers, which are responsible for sending signals from the spinal cord to the muscles in your body, helping you move.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "anterior horn" when talking about anatomy, especially in the context of the nervous system.
• It is mostly used in scientific, medical, or biological discussions.

Example:

• "The anterior horn of the spinal cord is crucial for controlling voluntary movements in the arms and legs."

Advanced Usage:

In a more advanced context, you might encounter discussions about how injuries to the anterior horn can affect motor control and lead to conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "anterior horn," but it can be described using related terms like "spinal cord," "motor neurons," and "nervous system."

Different Meaning:

While "anterior horn" primarily refers to a part of the spinal cord, in a broader context, "anterior" means "front" in Latin, and "horn" can refer to a projection or a pointed part of an object. However, in medical terminology, it retains its specific meaning.

Synonyms:

• In medical terminology, there are no direct synonyms, but you may see references to "ventral horn," which is another term used to describe the same structure.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no idioms or phrasal verbs commonly associated with "anterior horn" since it is a technical term. However, in a related context, you might hear phrases like "to break new ground" when discussing new discoveries in spinal cord research.

Summary:

The anterior horn is an important part of the spinal cord that helps control muscle movement. It is mainly discussed in medical and anatomical contexts.

Academic

Noun

1. one of two the two roots of a spinal nerve that passes ventrally from the spinal cord and that consists of motor fibers

Synonyms

• ventral root
• ventral horn
• anterior root