motor end plate
Học thuậtThân thiện
The motor end plate releases neurotransmitters to stimulate the muscle fiber.
Definition
- Noun:
- The specialized terminal structure of a motor neuron: A motor end plate is the flattened, disc-shaped ending of a motor neuron's axon. It forms a synaptic connection (neuromuscular junction) with a muscle fiber.
- The site of neural impulse transmission to a muscle: It is the specific location where the neuron releases neurotransmitters (primarily acetylcholine) to chemically stimulate and trigger contraction in the muscle cell.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released from the motor end plate.
- Damage to the motor end plate can result in muscle weakness.
Advanced Usage
- "End-plate potential": The local depolarization of the muscle fiber membrane generated at the motor end plate in response to neurotransmitter release.
- The summation of end-plate potentials can lead to a muscle action potential.
Variants and Related Words
- Neuromuscular junction (n): The entire synaptic connection between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, which includes the motor end plate.
- The neuromuscular junction is essential for voluntary movement.
- Synaptic cleft (n): The narrow gap between the motor end plate and the muscle fiber membrane.
- Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft.
Synonyms
- Myoneural junction: A technical synonym emphasizing the connection between nerve and muscle.
- Motor end-plate: An alternate hyphenated spelling.
Related Terms (Conceptual)
- Motor neuron (n): The nerve cell whose axon terminal forms the motor end plate.
- The cell body of the motor neuron is located in the spinal cord.
- Acetylcholine receptor (n): The protein on the muscle fiber membrane that binds the neurotransmitter released from the motor end plate.
- Toxins can block acetylcholine receptors at the motor end plate.
The motor end plate releases neurotransmitters to stimulate the muscle fiber.
Noun
- the flattened end of a motor neuron that transmits neural impulses to a muscle