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An axon is the neuron projection that typically carries action potentials away from the cell body to target cells.
An axon is a long, slender projection of a neuron found in most animals. It typically conducts electrical impulses called action potentials away from the cell body and transmits information to other neurons, muscles, and glands. In sensory neurons (such as pseudounipolar neurons), impulses can travel from the periphery to the cell body and then onward to the spinal cord. Axons are one of two main types of neuronal cytoplasmic protrusions (the other being dendrites) and are distinguished by their shape, length, and their role in transmitting signals rather than receiving them. Core axonal functions include signal transmission via action potentials and synaptic communication. Axons may be myelinated or unmyelinated; myelination (by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system) speeds conduction through saltatory conduction between nodes of Ranvier. The axonal initial segment (AIS) and axon hillock are specialized regions that help initiate action potentials, with a high concentration of voltage-gated sodium channels. Axons also support long-distance intracellular trafficking through axonal transport: anterograde transport delivers materials from the cell body to terminals, while retrograde transport returns waste to the cell body. At axon terminals, action potentials trigger neurotransmitter release, enabling synaptic connections (including synapses made along the axon via en passant boutons).
An axon is the neuron projection that typically carries action potentials away from the cell body to target cells.
Axonal signaling depends on specialized regions (axon hillock/AIS), myelination and nodes of Ranvier for fast conduction, and axonal transport for moving materials to and from terminals.
At axon terminals, action potentials trigger neurotransmitter release across synapses, enabling communication with other neurons, muscles, or glands.
A long, slender neuronal projection that typically conducts action potentials away from the cell body to transmit information to target cells.
An all-or-nothing electrochemical impulse that propagates along an axon and triggers synaptic transmission at terminals.
A specialized, unmyelinated axonal microdomain that helps initiate action potentials and supports neuronal polarity.
The bidirectional movement of cellular materials along the axon, including anterograde delivery to terminals and retrograde return to the cell body.
The formation of an insulating myelin sheath around axons that increases conduction speed, enabling saltatory conduction.
Short unmyelinated gaps in a myelinated axon where action potentials can be generated and propagated from node to node.
The end branch of an axon where synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitter to communicate with a target cell.
The membrane that covers an axon.
The cytoplasm within an axon.
The end branches of an axon that lead to axon terminals.
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