ANTERIOR HORN NEURON Meaning and
Definition
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An anterior horn neuron refers to a type of motor neuron located in the anterior (front) horn of the gray matter in the spinal cord. Also known as alpha motor neurons, they are responsible for transmitting signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles, thereby controlling voluntary movements of the body.
These neurons have a distinctive structure, with a long axon extending from the spinal cord to the muscle fibers it innervates. The cell body of the anterior horn neuron is positioned within the anterior horn of the spinal cord gray matter. Axons of these neurons gather together to form nerve fibers that exit the spinal cord through ventral roots, combining to form peripheral nerves that communicate with the muscles.
Anterior horn neurons play a crucial role in the neuromuscular system, as they are responsible for activating skeletal muscles and coordinating their contractions. They receive input signals from upper motor neurons, which descend from the brain through the spinal cord, and integrate these signals to provide appropriate motor responses. Damage or dysfunction of anterior horn neurons can lead to various motor neuron diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), causing muscle weakness, atrophy, and impaired motor functions.
In summary, anterior horn neurons are specialized motor neurons located in the gray matter of the spinal cord's anterior horn. They transmit signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles, orchestrating voluntary movements of the body.
Common Misspellings for ANTERIOR HORN NEURON
- znterior horn neuron
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- anyerior horn neuron
- an6erior horn neuron
- an5erior horn neuron
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- antrrior horn neuron
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