What do nerve fibers that carry impulses away from the central nervous system represent?

Nerve fibers that carry impulses away from the central nervous system are known as efferent fibers. These fibers are responsible for transmitting signals from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body, such as muscles and glands, enabling responses such as movement and secretion. The term "efferent" specifically indicates the direction of the signal flow, which is away from the central nervous system, thereby coordinating motor actions or regulating bodily functions.

In contrast, afferent fibers would carry sensory information toward the central nervous system, making them crucial for sensory processing. Intrafusal fibers and extrafusal fibers refer to types of muscle fibers; intrafusal fibers are found within muscle spindles and are involved in the proprioceptive function, while extrafusal fibers are responsible for skeletal muscle contraction. These concepts highlight the distinct roles of each fiber type in the nervous system and muscle function.