| a progressive wave of electric and chemical activity along a nerve fiber that stimulates or inhibits the action of a muscle, gland, or other nerve cell. |
| nerve impulse n. A wave of physical and chemical excitation along a nerve fiber in response to a stimulus, accompanied by a transient change in electric potential in the membrane of the fiber. |
| Main Entry: | nerve impulse |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a signal transmitted along a nerve fiber, starting with stimulation and then a wave of progressive alteration of electricity and becoming a record of sensation or instruction to act |
nerve impulse n.
A wave of physical and chemical excitation that moves along a nerve fiber in response to a stimulus.