Motoneuron

Motoneuron

A motoneuron (also known as motor neuron) is a type of neuron that is responsible for conveying impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the body's muscles and glands. This process is crucial for the execution of voluntary muscle movements.

Structure

Motoneurons are typically composed of a cell body, an axon, and several dendrites. The cell body contains the neuron's nucleus, while the axon is a long projection that transmits signals to other cells. The dendrites, on the other hand, receive signals from other cells.

Function

The primary function of motoneurons is to transmit signals from the brain and spinal cord to the body's muscles and glands. This is achieved through a process known as neurotransmission, in which electrical signals are converted into chemical signals.

Types of Motoneurons

There are two main types of motoneurons: upper motoneurons and lower motoneurons. Upper motoneurons originate in the brain and send their axons down to the spinal cord. Lower motoneurons, on the other hand, originate in the spinal cord and send their axons out to the muscles.

Clinical Significance

Damage to motoneurons can lead to a variety of neurological disorders, such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS).

See Also

• Neuron
• Neurotransmission
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Primary lateral sclerosis

References

Motoneuron Resources
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