MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Cell membranes of motor nerve terminals and muscle fibers are separated by a space called the synaptic cleft, which is approximately 30 – 50 nm. In the synaptic cleft, acetylcholinesterase is concentrated to hydrolyze the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to terminate each synaptic transmission.

Detailed explanation-2: -In fact, the synaptic cleft between an axon terminal and muscle cell is called a neuromuscular junction.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.