Which terms describe the two directions of action potentials in NMES?

Which terms describe the two directions of action potentials in NMES?

• A. Dromic and antidromic
• B. Orthodromic and antidromic
• C. Dromic and orthodromic
• D. Orthodromic and retrograde

Answer: (A)

The directions are orthodromic and antidromic. Orthodromic conduction is the normal flow of a nerve impulse, moving from the cell body along the axon toward the muscle (toward the neuromuscular junction). Antidromic conduction goes in the opposite direction, from the stimulation site back toward the neuron’s cell body in the spinal cord. In NMES, electrical stimulation can evoke impulses that travel in both directions, which is why these terms are used to describe the two possible paths. The term dromic isn’t the standard way to describe these directions, and retrograde isn’t the typical pairing used in this context. The standard pair that accurately describes the two directions is orthodromic and antidromic.

The directions are orthodromic and antidromic. Orthodromic conduction is the normal flow of a nerve impulse, moving from the cell body along the axon toward the muscle (toward the neuromuscular junction). Antidromic conduction goes in the opposite direction, from the stimulation site back toward the neuron’s cell body in the spinal cord. In NMES, electrical stimulation can evoke impulses that travel in both directions, which is why these terms are used to describe the two possible paths. The term dromic isn’t the standard way to describe these directions, and retrograde isn’t the typical pairing used in this context. The standard pair that accurately describes the two directions is orthodromic and antidromic.