Purkinje cell

Purkinje cells or Purkinje neurons, named for Czech physiologist Jan Evangelista Purkyně who identified them in 1837, are a unique type of prominent large neurons 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.

Purkinje cell
Drawing of pigeon Purkinje cells (A) by Santiago Ramon y Cajal
Details
PronunciationOften pronounced as /pɜːrˈkɪni/ pur-KIN-jee; but Czech pronunciation is (Czech: [ˈpurkɪɲɛ] cells
LocationCerebellum
Shapeflat dendritic arbor
Functioninhibitory projection neuron
NeurotransmitterGABA
Presynaptic connectionsParallel fibers and climbing fibers
Postsynaptic connectionsCerebellar deep nuclei
Identifiers
MeSHD011689
NeuroNames365
NeuroLex IDsao471801888
TA98A14.1.07.404
FMA67969
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy
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