Anterior horn cells
Anterior Horn Cells
The Anterior Horn Cells (pronunciation: an-teer-ior horn cells) are a group of nerve cells located in the anterior (front) part of the Spinal Cord's grey matter. They are also known as the Anterior Horn Motor Neurons.
Etymology
The term "Anterior Horn Cells" is derived from their location and appearance. "Anterior" refers to their position in the front part of the spinal cord, "Horn" describes their horn-like shape, and "Cells" indicates that they are individual units of biological structure and function.
Function
Anterior Horn Cells are responsible for transmitting motor neuron signals from the brain to the muscles. This allows for voluntary muscle control, including movements such as walking, talking, and grasping objects.
Related Terms
- Motor Neuron: A type of nerve cell that transmits signals from the brain to the muscles.
- Spinal Cord: The part of the central nervous system that runs down the middle of the back and transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
- Grey Matter: The part of the nervous system that contains most of the brain's neuronal cell bodies.
Diseases and Conditions
Damage or degeneration of Anterior Horn Cells can lead to various neurological disorders, such as:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): A genetic disorder characterized by weakness and wasting (atrophy) in muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles).
See Also
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