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3 EFFERENT CATEGORIES:
1. GENERAL SOMATIC EFFERENT (GSE) neurons conduct impulses to the voluntary effectors, aka skeletal
muscles via spinal and some cranial nerves. (Note: Special Somatic Efferent (SSE) is the same as this component
for muscles of the head that were derived metamerically (that is, from metameres, or somites) in the same way that
all other general skeletal muscle in the body is derived. Skeletal muscle of the head that belongs to this category is
found in the Tongue and the Orbit, only. All other skeletal muscles of the head/neck was derived from branchial
arches and is innervated via SVE.)
2. GENERAL VISCERAL EFFERENT (GVE) neurons conduct impulses from the CNS to the autonomic effectors,
aka: smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and glands via both cranial and spinal nerves.
3. SPECIAL VISCERAL EFFERENT (SVE) neurons conduct impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles that control facial expression and position of the jaw, neck, larynx, and pharynx via cranial nerves, ONLY. (Note: Muscles
of Mastication and Muscles of Facial Expression are derived embryologically from branchial arches NOT from
metameres. As such, they develop with their own Cranial Nerve (V (Trigeminal) for Muscles of Mastication,
VII (Facial) for Muscles of Facial Expression; IX (Glossopharyngeal) for swallowing; XI (Spinal Accessory)
for swallowing, phonation, and certain neck muscles.