What is the meaning of "efference" in a neural context?

In a neural context, "efference" specifically refers to the signals or messages that are sent from the brain to various parts of the body, such as muscles and glands. This term is derived from the root word "efferent," which designates pathways carrying signals away from the central nervous system to effectors that execute responses, such as movements or hormonal secretions.

When the brain processes information and decides to initiate a response, efferent signals facilitate that communication, ensuring that the appropriate muscles contract or that glands secrete substances as needed. This process is crucial for voluntary movements and other actions that involve muscular coordination.

Understanding this concept allows for a clearer grasp of how the nervous system operates in producing behavior and physical responses to internal and external stimuli, distinguishing it from sensory pathways that bring information into the brain, which are referred to as afferent pathways.