SLIDE 65 - MOTOR END PLATES

These are the axonal effector endings which induce contraction of skeletal muscle.  The gold chloride preparation stains axons black; muscle cells are long, parallel structures and reddish or purple in color; note their cross-striations.

At low magnification find a good group of axons arriving in the area and separating to innervate muscle fibers 1:1.  With higher magnification look at some highly branched axon terminals (endplates) at the surface of the muscle.