Purkinje cell
| Purkinje cell | |
|---|---|
Drawing of pigeon Purkinje cells (A) by Santiago Ramon y Cajal | |
| Details | |
| Pronunciation | Often pronounced as /pɜːrˈkɪndʒi/ pur-KIN-jee; but Czech pronunciation is (Czech: [ˈpurkɪɲɛ] ⓘ cells |
| Location | Cerebellum |
| Shape | Flat dendritic arbor |
| Function | Inhibitory projection neuron |
| Neurotransmitter | GABA |
| Presynaptic connections | Parallel fibers and climbing fibers |
| Postsynaptic connections | Cerebellar deep nuclei |
| Identifiers | |
| MeSH | D011689 |
| NeuroNames | 365 |
| NeuroLex ID | sao471801888 |
| TA98 | A14.1.07.404 |
| FMA | 67969 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Purkinje cells or Purkinje neurons, named for Czech physiologist Jan Evangelista Purkyně who identified them in 1837, are a unique type of prominent, large neuron located in the cerebellar cortex of the brain. With their flask-shaped cell bodies, many branching dendrites, and a single long axon, these cells are essential for controlling motor activity. Purkinje cells mainly release GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter, which inhibits some neurons to reduce nerve impulse transmission. Purkinje cells efficiently control and coordinate the body's motor motions through these inhibitory actions.