Neuromuscular Junction, Myoneural Junction

The neuromuscular junction, also known as the myoneural junction, is the zone of contact between the motor terminal of a nerve and the muscle fiber it innervates. Each muscle fiber is innervated by a branch of the axon of the motor neuron, which, ending on the fiber, forms the motor end plate. The structure connecting the nerve ending and the muscle fiber - the axo-muscular synapse - consists of a presynaptic membrane (plasma membrane of the nerve ending) and a postsynaptic membrane (plasma membrane of the muscle fiber), separated by the synaptic cleft.

When the need for muscle contraction arises, the nerve ending releases a neurotransmitter that crosses the synaptic cleft and binds to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the muscle fiber. This causes depolarization of the muscle membrane and subsequent contraction of the muscle fiber.

The neuromuscular junction plays an important role in the control of movement. It provides communication between the nervous system and muscles, allowing us to control our movements and respond to external stimuli. Disorders in the functioning of the neuromuscular junction can lead to serious diseases such as myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue during physical activity.

In conclusion, the neuromuscular junction is an important aspect of our physiology that provides control of movement and coordination of muscle activity. Understanding this process helps us better understand our body's mechanisms and develop new treatments for diseases associated with the neuromuscular junction.



The neuromuscular junction and the neuromuscular junction are key elements of the nervous system that ensure the transmission of nerve impulses from neurons to muscle tissue. In this article we will look at their structure and functions.

The neuromuscular junction is the area of ​​contact between the axon terminal of a motor neuron and the muscle fiber it innervates. This connection is the first step in the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscle.

Each muscle fiber receives innervation from a branch of the axon of the motor neuron. The axon terminal forms the motor endplate on the surface of the muscle fiber. This axo-muscular synapse consists of presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes separated by the synaptic cleft. The presynaptic membrane is the plasma membrane of the neuron axon terminal, and the postsynaptic membrane is the plasma membrane of the muscle fiber.

During transmission of a nerve impulse, a neurotransmitter (for example, acetylcholine) is released from the axon terminal into the synaptic cleft. It interacts with receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the muscle fiber and causes muscle contraction. The transmission of nerve impulses from a neuron to a muscle fiber occurs through the neuromuscular junction and the neuromuscular synapse.

Thus, the neuromuscular junction and the neuromuscular junction are key components of the nervous system and ensure the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles to perform various movements.



The neuromuscular junction (synonym - neuromuscular-synaptic junction; lat. synapsis neuro-musculare - NMS / English neuromuscular junction, NMJ) is the place of contact of the neuron (its process, in this case the muscle process) and the muscle cell ( or several). It is believed that this is where the production and release of a transmitter molecule from the motor neuron ending occurs.

It occurs at the point of contact of the body (sheath) of the excitatory motor neuron with the sheath of the muscle fibers that it innervates with its axon. It consists of the terminal branches of motor neurons that supply a given muscle, and are collectively called the muscular ending (lat. motor ending), and fibers of skeletal or smooth muscles, a collective synonym for muscle tissue.

Neuromyelin junctions. Each muscle constantly contracts and relaxes, therefore, fibers of different nerves approach each muscle - excitatory and inhibitory. Excitation moves along the former, while the latter prevents the contraction of a given muscle and isolates it from the “stimulant” if necessary. The main function of the neuromuscular junction is to transmit nerve excitation to the muscle and regulate muscle strength by regulating the release and amount of acetylcholine released from the nerve endings (terminals) of motor neurons. Or motor units (MU); an increase in the number of the latter is accompanied by an increase in the force of contraction.