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Definition

noun, plural: synapses

A specialized structure or junction that allows cell to cell communication.

verb

(1) To form a synapse.

(2) To undergo synapsis.

Supplement

A biological synapse involving neurons can be:

(1) Chemical synapse : the junction between neurons such that the nerve impulse is transmitted from a neuron to another neuron or to a muscle cell or gland cell.

(2) Electrical synapse : the gap junction between two apposed neurons that allows faster nerve transmission.

Recently, a biological synapse not involving a neuron is found to exist. The junction between a lymphocyte and an antigen-presenting cell is referred to as immunological synapse.

Word origin: from "synaptein", which Sir Charles Scott Sherrington and colleagues coined from the Greek "syn-" ("together") and "haptein" ("to clasp").
Related forms: synaptic (adjective).

Related terms:

• Excitatory synapse
• Inhibitory synapse
• Chemical synapse
• Electrical synapse
• Immunological synapse
• Ribbon synapse