Glossary Term
Motor Unit
A motor unit is a single nerve fiber and all the muscle fibers it innervates. The number and size of motor units recruited to determine the force output of a muscle. Synonyms include motor neuron unit, , motor nerve unit, and motor endplate unit.
Motor Unit: One nerve fiber (nerve cell axon) and all of the muscles cells (fibers) it innervates. For example, although a single muscle cell must fire completely or not at all, force output can be calibrated by the number and size of motor units recruited.
- Saladin, K. (2012). Anatomy & Physiology: The unity of form and function. (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Comments
Synonyms
- Motor neuron unit
- Motor nerve unit
- Motor endplate unit