part_of part of part of neuron cell-cell junction synapse neural synapse PMID:18287199 The junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron, muscle fiber or glial cell. As the nerve fiber approaches the synapse it enlarges into a specialized structure, the presynaptic nerve ending, which contains mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. At the tip of the nerve ending is the presynaptic membrane; facing it, and separated from it by a minute cleft (the synaptic cleft) is a specialized area of membrane on the receiving cell, known as the postsynaptic membrane. In response to the arrival of nerve impulses, the presynaptic nerve ending secretes molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane. PMID:21282632 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2569-1939 | https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7535-4407 GO:0045202 Planarian_Anatomy neuronal synapse PMID:18202849