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The part of a motor neuron that connects to the skeletal muscles. A motor neuron is a type of nerve cell. A cell is the smallest, most basic unit of life, that is capable of existing by itself. Skeletal muscles are muscles that are connected at either or both arms or legs with the skeleton of the body. Lower motor neurons are present in the spinal nerves, peripheral nerves (nerves outside of the brain or spinal cord), and anterior horn cells. Anterior horn cells are types of cells located in the spinal cord.
Damage to lower motor neurons can cause lower motor neuron paralysis, in which loss of movement/and or sensation can occur in addition to a loss of certain reflexes and the occurrence of various other signs and symptoms. In contrast to lower motor neurons, upper motor neurons are nerve cells in the motor cortex (an area of the brain located in middle, top part of the brain) that help make up nerve paths within the brain and from the brain to the spine.
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