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ventral horn

either of the bottom regions of the H-shaped pattern formed by the periaqueductal gray in the spinal cord. The ventral horns contain large motor neurons whose axons form the ventral roots. Also called anterior horn. Compare dorsal horn.

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Psychology term of the day

November 19th 2024

stepdown test

stepdown test

a memory test used in studies of shock-avoidance learning in rats and mice. When the animal first steps down from an elevated platform in the test chamber, it receives a brief foot shock. On subsequent test trials, the animal is usually much slower to step down, indicating its memory for the shock experience; a lack of hesitation in stepping down on postshock trials is considered a sign of cognitive impairment. Also called stepdown avoidance.