Synaptic vesicle | |
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![]() Neuron A (transmitting) to neuron B (receiving). 1. Mitochondrion; 2. Synaptic vesicle with neurotransmitters; 3. Autoreceptor 4. Synapse with neurotransmitter released (serotonin); 5. Postsynaptic receptors activated by neurotransmitter (induction of a postsynaptic potential); 6. Calcium channel; 7. Exocytosis of a vesicle; 8. Recaptured neurotransmitter. | |
Details | |
System | Nervous system |
Identifiers | |
Latin | vesicula synaptica
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MeSH | D013572 |
TH | H2.00.06.2.00004 |
Anatomical terms of microanatomy |
In a neuron, synaptic vesicles (or neurotransmitter vesicles) store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse. The release is regulated by a voltage-dependent calcium channel. Vesicles are essential for propagating nerve impulses between neurons and are constantly recreated by the cell. The area in the axon that holds groups of vesicles is an axon terminal or "terminal bouton". Up to 130 vesicles can be released per bouton over a ten-minute period of stimulation at 0.2 Hz.[1] In the visual cortex of the human brain, synaptic vesicles have an average diameter of 39.5 nanometers (nm) with a standard deviation of 5.1 nm.[2]