Phenomena and Processes

Synaptic Transmission

The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.

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Classification

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See Also

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Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Neural Transmission
  • Neurotransmission
  • Transmission, Neural
  • Transmission, Synaptic

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Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

differentiate entry term NEURAL TRANSMISSION from NEURAL CONDUCTION; consider also NEURAL INHIBITION; neuromuscular transmission = NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION / physiol + SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

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History Note

94; was NEURAL TRANSMISSION 1969-93, was NEUROHUMORAL TRANSMISSION 1968; NERVE TRANSMISSION was see NEURAL TRANSMISSION 1969-93

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Previous Indexing

  • Neural Conduction (1966-1967)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. G02.111.820w.850
  2. G04.835w.850
  3. G07.265.880
  4. G11.561.830

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Synaptic Transmission. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009435. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009435
  2. Synaptic Transmission. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122999306