Axodendritic Synapse

This axodendritic synapse consists of the presynaptic membrane , the synaptic gap and the postsynaptic membrane 3 . The axolemma region appears denser in the area of the presynaptic membrane. The synaptic bouton of the axon 1 contains several synaptic vesicles 2 with diameters between 20 and 65 nm as well as mitochondria and a few small dense vesicles (dense bodies) 4 . The synaptic vesicles contain a transmitter (chemical synapse).

1 Synaptic bouton of an axon

2 Synaptic vesicle

3 Synaptic membrane complex

4 Dense granule

5 Dendrite

Electron microscopy; magnification: × 35 800

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgart · New York .