Axon terminal (or presynaptic terminal) (null)

The nerve ending, also known as the axon terminal or presynaptic terminal, is the distal tip of a neuron where neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals to other neurons, muscle cells, or gland cells. It contains synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters, mitochondria for energy supply, and various proteins involved in vesicle docking and fusion (e.g., SNARE complex, synapsin). Upon arrival of an action potential, voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels are activated, triggering calcium influx and subsequent fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane, resulting in neurotransmitter exocytosis. The term "nerve ending" itself does not define a single molecule or receptor, but an anatomically and functionally specialized site for synaptic transmission, essential for nervous system communication. Therapeutically, drugs can target molecular processes at or within nerve endings, but the "nerve ending" is not a molecular target per se.

Other names

Nerve endingAxon terminalSynaptic boutonPresynaptic terminalTerminal bouton

Sodium channel blockade; Calcium channel modulation; SNARE protein inhibition; Modulation of neurotransmitter reuptake and degradation.