Definition

1. 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.

Noun

1. the flattened end of a motor neuron that transmits neural impulses to a muscle