RT Book, Section
A1 Lopez, Michael A.
A1 Lotze, Timothy E.
A2 Kline, Mark W.
SR Print(0)
ID 1182924153
T1 Diseases of the Neuromuscular Junction
T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 23e
YR 2018
FD 2018
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259588594
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182924153
RD 2024/04/19
AB The  neuromuscular  junction  (NMJ)  is  an  exquisitely  organized  and  highly  specialized  synaptic  interface  between  the  motor  nerve  terminal  and  muscle  fiber  (Fig.  562-1).  The  NMJ  transmits  action  potentials  from  the  motor  neuron  to  the  muscle  fiber  (Fig.  562-2).  The  motor  nerve  terminal  stores  numerous  presynaptic  vesicles  containing  acetylcholine  (ACh),  and  when  it  is  activated,  ACh  is  released  by  exocytosis  across  the  NMJ  synapse.  It  subsequently  binds  and  activates  the  acetylcholine  receptors  on  the  postsynaptic  muscle  membrane,  and  this  generates  a  postsynaptic  action  potential  that  translates  into  depolarization  of  the  muscle  fiber,  which  in  turn  leads  to  a  contractile  response.  Diseases  that  lead  to  disruption  of  any  of  the  structural  components  or  function  of  the  NMJ  can  impair  transmission  of  the  action  potential  and  manifest  as  fatigue  and  muscle  weakness.