MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -synapse, also called neuronal junction, the site of transmission of electric nerve impulses between two nerve cells (neurons) or between a neuron and a gland or muscle cell (effector). A synaptic connection between a neuron and a muscle cell is called a neuromuscular junction.

Detailed explanation-2: -The space between the two is known as the synaptic cleft.

Detailed explanation-3: -Inside the axon terminal of a sending cell are many synaptic vesicles. These are membrane-bound spheres filled with neurotransmitter molecules. There is a small gap between the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron and the membrane of the postsynaptic cell, and this gap is called the synaptic cleft.

Detailed explanation-4: -The synaptic cleft-also called synaptic gap-is a gap between the pre-and postsynaptic cells that is about 20 nm (0.02 ) wide. The small volume of the cleft allows neurotransmitter concentration to be raised and lowered rapidly.

Detailed explanation-5: -The synaptic cleft is the gap between the presynaptic terminal and the postsynaptic muscle membrane, which is filled with a specialized form of extracellular matrix called synaptic basal lamina (Sanes, 2003). This matrix is crucial for the alignment, organization and structural integrity of the NMJ.