Anterior horn cells
Anterior Horn Cells
Anterior horn cells are a critical component of the spinal cord's gray matter, playing a vital role in the motor system of vertebrates. These cells are located in the anterior (ventral) horn of the spinal cord and are primarily responsible for the transmission of motor signals from the central nervous system to the muscles, facilitating voluntary movement.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The anterior horn of the spinal cord is part of the gray matter, which is centrally located and shaped like a butterfly or the letter "H" in cross-section. The anterior horn contains the cell bodies of lower motor neurons, also known as alpha motor neurons. These neurons are large, multipolar cells with extensive dendritic trees that receive synaptic input from various sources, including upper motor neurons, interneurons, and sensory neurons.
Function[edit | edit source]
Anterior horn cells are essential for motor function. They receive input from the upper motor neurons located in the motor cortex of the brain, which descend through the corticospinal tract. Upon receiving these signals, anterior horn cells generate action potentials that travel down their axons, exiting the spinal cord via the ventral roots to innervate skeletal muscles. This process is crucial for initiating and controlling voluntary muscle contractions.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Damage or degeneration of anterior horn cells can lead to severe motor deficits. One of the most well-known conditions affecting these cells is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which is characterized by the progressive degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. Another condition, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), is a genetic disorder that specifically targets anterior horn cells, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy.
Pathology[edit | edit source]
- Poliomyelitis: A viral infection that can destroy anterior horn cells, leading to paralysis. - Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A genetic disorder that results in the loss of anterior horn cells, causing muscle weakness. - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons, including anterior horn cells.
Research and Advances[edit | edit source]
Recent advances in neurobiology and genetics have provided deeper insights into the functioning and pathology of anterior horn cells. Research is ongoing to develop therapies that can protect or regenerate these cells in conditions like ALS and SMA.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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