CELLS OF PURKINJE Meaning and
Definition
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Cells of Purkinje are a specialized type of neuron found in the cerebellar cortex, a region of the brain responsible for coordinating movements and maintaining balance. These neurons are named after the Czech anatomist Jan Evangelista Purkyně, who first described them in the 19th century.
The cells of Purkinje are characterized by their unique morphology and location within the cerebellum. They have a large, flask-shaped soma, or cell body, with numerous dendrites branching out in a tree-like fashion known as a dendritic arbor. These dendrites extend into the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex, while their axons project into the deeper layers of the brain.
Functionally, the cells of Purkinje play a crucial role in the processing and transmission of information within the cerebellar circuitry. They receive input from two main sources: climbing fibers, which are excitatory axons originating from the inferior olive of the brainstem, and parallel fibers, which arise from granule cells located in the granular layer of the cerebellum.
The cells of Purkinje integrate these inputs and generate a single output signal through their axons, which travel to various target regions both within and outside the cerebellum. This output signal is important for modulating and fine-tuning motor commands generated by other regions of the brain, contributing to the coordination, precision, and accuracy of movements. Dysfunction or loss of Purkinje cells can lead to motor deficits and impaired balance, as seen in certain neurodegenerative disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxias.
Common Misspellings for CELLS OF PURKINJE
- Cell of Purkince
- Cel of Purkinje
- Celles of Purkinje
- Cells o Purkinje
- Cellsof Purkinje
- Celsof Purkinje
- Cels off Purkinje
- Cellsoff Purkinje
- Cells of Purkinjee
