pyramidal cell (neuron)

Introduction

Multipolar projection neuron of the hippocampus or cerebral cortex

Morphology:

• triangular shaped perikarya
  • generally 10-50 um in size, but may be as large as 100 um
• single apical dendrite extending towards the pial surface
• multiple basilar dendrites
• single axon

Characteristics

• 75-80% of neurons in mammalian neocortex
• all use excitatory transmitter glutamate or aspartate
• receive projections from within & from outside the cerebral cortex
• only neurons that send projections out of the cortex

More general terms

• neuron

More specific terms

• Betz cell
• CA1 pyramidal neuron
• CA2 pyramidal neuron
• CA3 pyramidal neuron
• dentate hilar neuron