Multipolar neuron

Purkinje cells, located in the cerebellum, are another example of multipolar neurons with unique shapes. They possess an extensive, apical dendritic arborization with numerous dendritic spines (inset) for synaptic contact. H & E stain (left), 400x; Golgi silver stain (right and inset) 400x, 1000x

Purkinje cells, located in the cerebellum, are another example of multipolar neurons with unique shapes. They possess an extensive, apical dendritic arborization with numerous dendritic spines (inset) for synaptic contact. H & E stain (left), 400x; Golgi silver stain (right and inset) 400x, 1000x

Dendritic spines are small (0.1 – 0.8 microns) protrusions of the dendrite plasma membrane which are highly dynamic structures that remodel with synaptic activity.  The majority of excitatory input to dendrites occurs on dendritic spines.  Spines on Purkinje cell dendrites are larger (1-2 microns) than those on most dendrites.

These images were was taken of slides from the University of Michigan and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine slide collections.