Decussate

Definition

In anatomy and physiology, decussate describes the action or instance where fibers, especially nerve or muscle fibers, cross each other in the form of an X. This crossing over typically occurs in the brain or spinal cord and is crucial for transmitting signals between different parts of the body.

Related terms

Somatic Nervous System:

The part of the peripheral nervous system associated with voluntary control of body movements through skeletal muscles.

Axon:

A long, slender projection of a nerve cell that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

Synapse:

The junction between two neurons or between a neuron and a muscle cell, where nerve impulses pass by diffusion of neurotransmitters