afferentní

Afferentní is a term used in biology and medicine to describe a pathway or structure that transmits information towards a central point. In the context of the nervous system, afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, carry sensory information from the periphery, such as touch, pain, or temperature, to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). This information allows the body to perceive its environment and react accordingly.

The term afferent can also be applied to blood vessels. Afferent arterioles are small arteries that carry blood towards a specific organ or structure, such as the glomerulus in the kidney. Similarly, afferent lymphatic vessels transport lymph towards a lymph node. Understanding afferent pathways is crucial in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions, as disruptions in these pathways can lead to sensory deficits, pain, or impaired organ function. The opposite of afferent is efferent, which describes pathways carrying information away from a central point.