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Chapter: Human Neuroanatomy(Fundamental and Clinical): Basic Neuronal Arrangements

Somatic Efferent Neurons

Somatic Efferent Neurons
In the spinal cord the cell bodies of these neurons lie in the ventral grey column.

Somatic Efferent Neurons

        These neurons supply striated muscle. In the spinal cord the cell bodies of these neurons lie in the ventral grey column. They are often referred to as anterior horn cells. The neurons are large and multipolar and their Nissl substance is prominent. They are designated as alpha neurons to distinguish them from smaller anterior horn cells called gamma neurons (Fig.3.1).


        The axon of a somatic efferent neuron leaves the spinal cord through a ventral nerve root to enter the spinal nerve concerned. During its course through the spinal nerve (and its branches) the axon divides into a variable number of branches each one of which ultimately ends by supplying one muscle fibre. The region of junction between a terminal branch of the axon and the muscle fibre has a special structure and is called the motor end plate or neuromuscular junction. Depending on the number of branchings one anterior horn cell supplies a variable number of muscle fibres. One anterior horn cell and the muscle fibres supplied by it constitute one motor unit. In large muscles, where strength of contraction is more important than precision, a motor unit may contain up to 2000 muscle fibres. On the other hand in muscles where precision is all important (e.g., in muscles of the eyeball) the motor unit may supply as few as six fibres.

        The somatic efferent fibres of cranial nerves are axons of neurons, the cell bodies of which lie in somatic efferent nuclei in the brainstem. Their axons pass through the third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves to supply the extrinsic muscles of the eyeballs; and through the twelfth cranial nerve to supply muscles of the tongue.


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