axoaxonic synapse

axoaxonic synapse

[ak′sō·akson′ik]

Etymology: Gk, axon, axle (to) axon, axle

a synapse in which the axon of one neuron comes in contact with the axon of another neuron.

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synapse

the junction between the processes of two neurons or between a neuron and an effector organ, where neural impulses are transmitted by chemical means. The impulse causes the release of a neurotransmitter (e.g. acetylcholine or norepinephrine) from the presynaptic membrane of the axon terminal. The neurotransmitter molecules diffuse across the synaptic cleft, bind with specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, causing depolarization or hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic cell. See also neuron.

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adrenergic synapse

the neurotransmitter is norepinephrine. See also adrenergic (1).

axoaxonic synapse

see axoaxonic.

axodendritic synapse

see axodentritic.

axodendrosomatic synapse

one between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites and body of another.

axosomatic synapse

see axosomatic.

cholinergic synapse

the neurotransmitter is acetylcholine. See also cholinergic.

dendrodendritic synapse

one from a dendrite of one cell to a dendrite of another.

excitatory synapse

a synapse in which the transmission of impulses is electrical not chemical. Found only in fish and invertebrates.

inhibitory synapse

hyperpolarizing electrical current is used to raise the threshold for the stimulation of a discharge of an impulse from the particular kind of nerve cell, found only in fish.