Synapse-likecontact areas between motor neuronsend end and striated muscle cells.
The signals from the motor neuron are transmitted by means of acetylcholine (the transmitter substance in the end plates). The acetylcholine released during signalling, which then triggers the contraction of the muscle cell, is more or less immediately broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase which enables the muscle to relax. If the breakdown does not take place, the muscle cells remain in a contracted state: spasm (tetanus).