interneuron

I1N1T1E1R1N1E1U1R1O1N1

noun

A multipolar neuron that connects afferent and efferent neurons.

RareScrabble 11

Meanings

nouninterneuron (plural interneurons)

plural interneurons

  1. anatomyA multipolar neuron that connects afferent and efferent neurons.

    The interneuron is a major neuroarchitectural element within the arthropod central nervous system, both in terms of numbers and diversity of form.

    1995, G. S. Boyan, J. L. D. Williams, “Lineage analysis as a diagnostic tool in the insect central nervous system: Bringing order to interneurons”, in O. Breidbach, Wolfram Kutsch, editors, The Nervous Systems of Invertebrates: An Evolutionary and Comparative Approach, page 273
    2 more examples

    Another important difference between interneuron and pyramidal cell spines is the number of synaptic boutons. The spines of interneurons are covered by numerous excitatory synaptic boutons (four to eight synapses per spine).

    2007, Nelson Spruston, Chris McBain, “5: Structural and Functional Properties of Hippocampal Neurons”, in Per Andersen, Richard Morris David Amaral, Tim Bliss, John O'Keefe, editors, The Hippocampus Book, page 184

    Embedded within these spinal circuits are local interneurons. An interneuron is generally defined as a neuron that only synapses onto other neurons. In the central nervous system, interneurons are considered to be the neurons that have local rather than long-distance projections.

    2011, Susan A. Duchars, “8: Spinal Interneurons in the Control of Autonomic Function”, in Ida J. Llewellyn-Smith, Anthony J. M. Verberne, editors, Central Regulation of Autonomic Functions, 2nd edition, page 140
adjectiveinterneuron (not comparable)
  1. not comparableBetween neurons.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₁én
  2. Proto-Indo-European*h₁n̥tér
  3. Proto-Italic*n̥ter
  4. Latininter
  5. Latininter-
  6. Englishinter-
  7. Englishneuron
  8. Englishinterneuron

From inter- + neuron.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

interneuron. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interneuron

MLA

“interneuron.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interneuron. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “interneuron,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interneuron.

Source: interneuron on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.