Afferent
* Meaning: Carrying information towards a central point.
* Analogy: Think of an "afferent" as a highway that carries traffic into a city.
* Example: Sensory neurons that carry information from the body (e.g., touch, temperature, pain) to the brain and spinal cord are afferent neurons.
Efferent
* Meaning: Carrying information away from a central point.
* Analogy: Think of an "efferent" as a highway that carries traffic out of a city.
* Example: Motor neurons that carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands are efferent neurons.
In summary:
* Afferent: Sensory information going towards the central nervous system.
* Efferent: Motor information going away from the central nervous system.
Mnemonic:
A helpful mnemonic to remember the difference is: "Afferent Arrives, Efferent Exits."