(neuroanatomy) synaptic boutons
In zoology, a neuropodium, or neuropodia in plural form, pertains to the ventral lobe of the parapodium of the polychaetes. The parapodium is one of the paired lateral appendages. Each parapodium is comprised of two divisions: the notopodium and the neuropodium. The notopodium is the dorsal lobe whereas the neuropodium is the ventral lobe of the parapodium. The parapodia (plural of parapodium) of polychaetes may be classified as uniramous or biramous depending on the presence of the neuropodia. Parapodia consisting of two lobes (thus, with neuropodia) are referred to as biramous. Parapodia with only one lobe (thus, lacking neuropodia) are referred to as uniramous. Both lobes may bear cirri and seta. The cirri of neuropodium are specifically called neurocirri (against the notocirri in notopodium). In contrast, the setae of neuropodium are called neurosetae (whereas notosetae are the setae of notopodium).
In neuroanatomy, the term neuropodia may pertain to the axon terminals of a nerve cell. It is another word used as a synonym for the button-like endings of a neuron involved in the release of neurotransmitters at the synaptic cleft for the transmission of electrical signals from one neuron to another neuron, or to an effector cell.
Word origin: Greek neuro- combining form of (neuron); akin to Latin nervus + Latin –podium (footlike)