ALPHABETICAL BRAIN™ VOCABULARY DETAILS about AXONS: Brain Flash Card #4 WHAT ARE YOUR AXONS AND WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT? What is the purpose and function of your AXONS? Your axons are the thin threadlike fibers called filaments, which extend from each cell body of your 100 billion neurons to other neurons, senses, internal organs, glands, and your muscles through special end terminals. An axon's filament attaches to the cell body of a neuron and its function is to carry a biochemical signal (impulse) from the cell body to its extensions (end terminals) at the other end of a neuron's filament. The terminals attach through biochemical junctions (electro-chemical switches) known as synapses, which relay ionic signals from neuron to neuron, and from your neurons to all of the other organs, glands, senses, and muscles in your body. The signals flow through either short or long filaments. For example, your sciatica nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body, sends biochemical signals from the cell bodies in the neuron fibers of your lower back down your two legs to the terminal "extensions" at the other end of the neuron's filament, which terminate at the back of the heals of your feet. Typically, at least 10,000-15,000 synapses are attached to the end terminals of a neuron's filament, but there can be as few as a single one for memories of some celebraties or revered relatives such as grandmothers! Note: See also neurons #2, dendrites #3, nucleus #5, glial cells #6, potentiation #7, synapses #8, and plasticity #10. INSTANTLY GO TO: FACT CHECKER FOR AXONS OR RETURN TO: AXONS: BRAIN FLASH CARD #4 OR RETURN TO: LIST OF 15 FREE BRAIN FLASH CARDS