Neuromuscular junctions and blood vessels

Mouse motor neurons (green), neuromuscular junctions (red), and blood vessels (purple) are depicted in the image. Motor nerves found in the spinal cord project out to the periphery, where they contact muscles, forming specialised connections or synapses called neuromuscular junctions. Electrical signals are carried by the motor neurons to the muscles to precipitate voluntary muscle contraction. Blood vessels can also be seen in the image, providing a dense network for the exchange of useful and waste products. Note how the blood vessels appear to surround the long, thin axons of the motor neurons. Image width is approximately 210 micrometres.