climbing fiber
noun
anatomy
: any of the afferent nerve fibers arising from neurons in the inferior olive that ascend to the cerebellar cortex to synapse with Purkinje cells
The olive sends so-called climbing fibers up to the cerebellum where they wrap around Purkinje cells like vines around a tree, exerting a powerful influence on them …—
Ingrid Wickelgren, Science, 11 Sept. 1998
Ingrid Wickelgren, Science, 11 Sept. 1998Individual Purkinje neurons receive synaptic input from only a single climbing fiber, whereas each climbing fiber contacts 1-10 Purkinje neurons.—Eric R. Kandel et al., Principles of Neural Science, 4th Edition, 2000
Eric R. Kandel et al., Principles of Neural Science, 4th Edition, 2000Dictionary Entries Near climbing fiber
Cite this Entry
“Climbing fiber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climbing%20fiber. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share