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Definition

noun

The principle formulated by Francois Magendie, (French physiologist), who described the motor function of the ventral spinal neurons and the sensory function of the dorsal spinal neurons, indicating that the nerve impulses are relayed in a single direction

Supplement

Prior to the findings of Francois Magendie, people believed that the spinal nerve is a mix of motor and sensory functions. This was contested by Magendie who was first to describe distinctive roles of motor and sensory functions of nerves.

Synonym(s):

• Bell's law
• Magendies law