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Neurophysiology of the Neuromuscular Junction: Overview
Author(s) -
RUFF ROBERT L.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1254.002
Subject(s) - neurophysiology , neuroscience , neuromuscular junction , medicine , cognitive science , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology
A bstract : This manuscript reviews the physiology of neuromuscular transmission with emphasis on four features: (1) the structure of the neuromuscular junction, (2) release of vesicles of acetylcholine from the nerve terminal, (3) the roles of postsynaptic Na + channels and acetylcholine receptors in converting the chemical signal from the nerve terminal into a propagated action potential on the muscle fiber, and (4) the safety factor for neuromuscular transmission. It also introduces new information about how the neuromuscular junction maintains physiological integrity during muscle fiber stretch and contraction.