A specialized region of the plasma membrane and cell cortex of a presynaptic neuron; encompasses a region of the plasma membrane where synaptic vesicles dock and fuse, and a specialized cortical cytoskeletal matrix. [ GOC:dl GOC:dh GOC:pr GOC:ef GOC:jid http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3152289 ]

Synonyms: presynaptic specialization pre-synaptic active zone