The soma is a neuron's cell body, containing its cell nucleus and much of the machinery for translation and metabolism. Dendrites and the axon extend from, or are connected to, this central compartment. The soma also receives synapses and participates electrically in synaptic integration.[ref]
A voltage recorded at the soma is a local measurement. In an extended neuron, cable properties and active ion channels can make the simultaneous membrane potential in a distant dendrite different.
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