Understanding Preaxial Structures in Nerve Cells

Preaxial refers to a location or structure that is situated on the anterior (front) side of the axon, which is the long, thin extension of a nerve cell that carries signals away from the cell body. In other words, preaxial structures are located near the front end of the axon, closer to the point where the signal is transmitted to other neurons or muscles.

For example, in the context of the brain, preaxial refers to the anterior (front) part of the hemisphere, including the frontal lobe and the prefrontal cortex. In the context of the spinal cord, preaxial refers to the anterior (front) white matter tracts that carry sensory information from the periphery to the brain.

In contrast, postaxial refers to structures located near the back end of the axon, away from the point where the signal is transmitted.