Medical Definition of Giant axon
1.
Extraordinarily large unmyelinated axons found in invertebrates.
Some, like the squid giant axon, can approach 1 mm diameter. Large axons have high conduction speeds, the giant axons are invariably involved in panic or escape responses and may (e.g. Crayfish) have electrical synapses to further increase speed.
Vertebrate axons with high conduction velocites are much narrower: they are myelinated, allowing saltatory conduction.
(17 Dec 1997)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Giant Axon
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