neuromuscular junction

the area of MEMBRANE between a MUSCLE cell and a MOTOR NEURON , forming a SYNAPSE between the two. NERVE IMPULSES travel down the neuron, and each releases ACETYLCHOLINE , which slightly depolarizes the enlarged end of the neuron (the motor end plate). These small depolarizations are totalled until a threshold of - 50mV is reached, and this results in the production of an 'action potential' that crosses the synapse into the muscle fibre, thereby producing a muscle contraction.