Axon mounds

definition

The axon hill is the name given to the place where the axon begins.

The axon hill is part of a nerve cell. A nerve cell, also called Neuron called, has the task of transmitting signals that are passed on to the next nerve cell or a muscle.

construction

The Nerve cell consists roughly of three sections. The central point is the Cell body, the so-called Soma. Here lies the Cell nucleuscontaining the genetic information of the cell. On one side they open Dendrites into the cell body. This is where the information that is passed on from other cells arrives in the form of electrical impulses.

Read more about the topic here dendrit

Several cells can forward their signals to one cell. So often are many dendrites necessary to record all signals. They are transmitted via the cell body and via the Axon, which is often divided into many terminal branches, to the next cell forwarded.

The axon mound is that Place of origin of the axon. He is also called Cone of origin designated. It is called a hill because this initial part of the axon is thicker than the rest of the axon.

Illustration of a nerve cell

Figure nerve cells

Nerve cell -
Neuron

  1. Dendrites
  2. Synapse
    (axodendritic)
  3. Cell nucleus -
    Nucleolus
  4. Cell bodies -
    Nucleus
  5. Axon mounds
  6. Myelin sheath
  7. Ranvier lace-up
  8. Swan cells
  9. Axon terminals
  10. Synapse
    (axoaxonal)
    A - multipolar neuron
    B - pseudounipolar neuron
    C - bipolar neuron
    a - Soma
    b - axon
    c - synapses

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

function

Of the Axon mounds is responsible for that of the many signals sent to a single one Nerve cell arrive, only one Collective signal about the Axon is forwarded.

There come stimulating and inhibiting signals to that as inhibitory (inhibitory) or excitatory (exciting) postsynaptic potential are designated.

Be on the axon mound these signals added up. The inhibiting are withdrawn from the exciting. The Sum of all signals will then be forwarded. If as many exciting as inhibiting signals arrive, it leads to one Cancellation of the signal, so nothing is passed on.

The nerve cell is on the axon hill particularly sensitive for receiving signals.

The summation of all incoming signals leads to one exciting signal, so there is a change in the composition of various tiny particles (the Ions). This leads to a electrical activitywhich is transmitted through the entire axon to the next cell.