Pyramidal cells

Pyramidal cell
A human neocortical pyramidal neuron stained via Golgi technique. Notice the apical dendrite extending vertically above the soma and the numerous basal dendrites radiating laterally from the base of the cell body.
A human cortical pyramidal cell.
Details
Location	Cortex esp. Layers III and V
Morphology	Multipolar Pyramidal
Function	excitatory projection neuron
Neurotransmitter	Glutamate, GABA
Identifiers
NeuroLex ID	Pyramidal Cell
TH	H1.00.01.0.00044
FMA	84105
Anatomical terminology []

Pyramidal neurons (pyramidal cells) are a type of multipolar neuron found in areas of the brain including the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala. Pyramidal neurons are the primary excitation units of the mammalian prefrontal cortex and the corticospinal tract. Pyramidal neurons are also one of two cell types where the characteristic sign, Negri bodies, are found in post-mortem rabies infection. Pyramidal neurons were first discovered and studied by Santiago Ramón y Cajal. Since then, studies on pyramidal neurons have focused on topics ranging from neuroplasticity to cognition.

Pyramidal neuron visualized by green fluorescent protein (gfp)

A hippocampal pyramidal cell

One of the main structural features of the pyramidal neuron is the conic shaped soma, or cell body, after which the neuron is named. Other key structural features of the pyramidal cell are a single axon, a large apical dendrite, multiple basal dendrites, and the presence of dendritic spines.

The apical dendrites arise from the apex of the pyramidal cell's soma. The apical dendrite is a single long thick dendrite that branches several times as distance from the soma increases and extends towards the cortical surface.

The basal dendrites arise from the base of the pyramidal cell's soma. The basal dendritic tree consists of three to five primary dendrites. As distance increases from the soma, the basal dendrites branch profusely.