PsychologyJuly 17, 2026

neurophysiology

/ˌnjʊəroʊˌfɪziˈɒlədʒi/

Definition

The branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of the nervous system.

Etymology

The word is a combination of the Greek 'neuron' (nerve) and 'physiology' (from the Greek 'physis', meaning nature, and 'logos', meaning study). It emerged in the 19th century to describe the scientific study of how nervous systems work.

In the news

The article uses the term to highlight that our scientific understanding of brain function is evolving rapidly, often leaving outdated concepts in its wake. It is cited as a field where recent breakthroughs are frequently misunderstood or ignored by the general public.

Lizard Brains and Hidden Knowledge

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Psychology Today

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