Where in the nervous system does Poliomyelitis primarily affect?

Poliomyelitis primarily affects the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, which contain the lower motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle control. When the poliovirus infects these cells, it leads to muscle weakness and atrophy, as the signals from the spinal cord to the muscles are disrupted. This effect on the anterior horn cells is the hallmark of poliomyelitis, leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disease, such as paralysis.

While other parts of the nervous system are important for various functions, the direct impact of poliomyelitis is predominantly localized to these anterior horn cells. This crucial point underscores how poliovirus selectively targets and damages the motor pathways needed for movement, resulting in the clinical manifestations observed in affected individuals.