What is a Motor Nerve?
A motor nerve is a nerve which carries impulses from the central nervous system which trigger muscles to contract. All of the voluntary muscles in the body are controlled with motor nerves, which means that any time someone decides to move, a motor nerve is involved. All vertebrate animals use this highly effective system for controlling their voluntary muscles. Involuntary muscles such as the heart move using a different system. These nerves are made up of motor neurons, neurons which specialize in carrying signals which will result in muscle contraction. Where a motor nerve meets a muscle, the neuron releases chemicals which stimulate muscle contraction. Once these chemicals are broken down, the muscle relaxes again. Motor nerves only have an excitatory action, meaning that they can only signal contractions, not relaxation of the muscle. These nerves are among a group of nerves known as efferent nerves because they carry data from the central nervous system to the rest of the body. W
