Definition
adjective
(1) Of or pertaining to or being on the receiving end of a discharge across a synapse.
(2) Pertaining to or relating to the distal side of a synapse.
Supplement
The term is used especially to refer to a receiving or distal side of a synapse such as a postsynaptic cell, which can be a nerve cell (neuron), a muscle cell or a secretory (gland) cell.
Word origin: post- (behind, after) + synaptic ยป synapse.
Compare: presynaptic
See also: synapse.
Related terms:
- Postsynaptic cell
- Postsynaptic membrane
- Postsynaptic potential
- Excitatory postsynaptic potential
- Inhibitory postsynaptic potential
