Alpha motor neuron
Alpha Motor Neuron
The Alpha Motor Neuron (pronounced: al-fuh moe-tor noor-on), also known as Alpha Motoneuron, is a type of motor neuron that innervates skeletal muscle fibers.
Etymology
The term "Alpha Motor Neuron" is derived from the Greek letter "alpha", which is often used to denote the first or primary entity in a series, and the term "motor neuron", which refers to a type of nerve cell responsible for controlling muscle contractions.
Function
Alpha Motor Neurons are responsible for triggering contractions in skeletal muscle, the type of muscle that powers movement. They are part of the neuromuscular junction, a connection between the nervous system and the muscular system. When an Alpha Motor Neuron is activated, it sends a signal down its axon to the muscle fibers it innervates, causing them to contract.
Related Terms
- Motor Neuron: A type of nerve cell that controls muscle contractions.
- Skeletal Muscle: A type of muscle tissue that is attached to bones and is responsible for voluntary movements.
- Neuromuscular Junction: The connection between a motor neuron and the muscle fibers it controls.
- Axon: The long, slender projection of a nerve cell that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
See Also
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