Pyramidal cell

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Pyramidal cell
Image:GolgiStainedPyramidalCell.jpg
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.
Image:Gray627.png
Pyramidal cell from the cerebral cortex of a mouse.
Gray's	subject #183 722
MeSH	Pyramidal+Cells

A pyramidal cell (or pyramidal neuron, or projection neuron) is a multipolar neuron located in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. These cells have a triangularly shaped soma, or cell body, a single apical dendrite extending towards the pial surface, multiple basal dendrites, and a single axon. Pyramidal neurons compose approximately 80% of the neurons of the cortex, and release glutamate as their neurotransmitter, making them the major excitatory component of the cortex (see synapse).

In the primary motor cortex, layer V pyramidal cells are extremely large. These cells are called Betz cells. Their cell bodies can be as large as 100 micrometers in humans. Typical human pyramidal cell bodies range from 10 to 50 micrometers.