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dendrodendritic synapse

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dendrodendritic synapse
[den′drōdendrit′ik]
Etymology: Gk, dendron + dendron + synaptein, to join
a type of synapse in which a dendrite of one neuron comes in contact with a dendrite of another neuron. Compare axodendritic synapse.

synapse [sin´aps]
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.
Components of a synapse. From Applegate, 2000.
axoaxonic synapse one between the axon of one neuron and the axon of another neuron.
axodendritic synapse one between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another.
axodendrosomatic synapse one between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites and body of another.
axosomatic synapse one between the axon of one neuron and the body of another.
dendrodendritic synapse one from a dendrite of one cell to a dendrite of another.
electrotonic synapse a special type of gap junction found in tissue such as the myocardium.

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.

adrenergic synapse
the neurotransmitter is norepinephrine. See also adrenergic (1).
axoaxonic synapse
axodendritic synapse
axodendrosomatic synapse
one between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites and body of another.
axosomatic synapse
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.


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