cell body

noun

: the nucleus-containing central part of a neuron exclusive of its axons and dendrites that is the major structural element of the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord, the ganglia, and the retina see neuron illustration

Examples of cell body in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To visualize the elements that make up neurons—axons, dendrites, and cell bodies—Seung and Berger used a computer to draw 3-D surfaces around the neural structures found in the cube. Danielle Egan, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Vaibhav Deshmukh Motor neurons grown in microfluidic device for separation of cell bodies (top) and axons (bottom). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 Oct. 2023 This structure gave cells ready access to the gel’s nutrients while mimicking alternating between gray and white matter in the cortex, where gray matter contains neuron cell bodies and white matter contains the long axons connecting them. WIRED, 3 Oct. 2023 Among neurons, in contrast, the fusion happened farther away from the cell body, at long, thin extensions known as dendrites and axons, which are critical for cell-cell communication. Byclaudia Lopez Lloreda, science.org, 7 June 2023 When lung cells fused, only the main parts of the cell body connected to each other. Byclaudia Lopez Lloreda, science.org, 7 June 2023 Connected to the cell body is the axon. Gabriel A. Silva, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Venter has already transferred the genome of one species into the cell body of another. Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2010 This 2009 image reveals the main cell body, or soma, or a spiny neuron, with its dendrites radiating away. Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2010

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cell body.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cell body was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near cell body

Cite this Entry

“Cell body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell%20body. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cell body

noun
: the central part of a neuron that includes the nucleus but not the axons and dendrites

Medical Definition

cell body

noun
: the nucleus-containing central part of a neuron exclusive of its axons and dendrites that is the major structural element of the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord, the ganglia, and the retina

called also perikaryon, soma

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