CEREBRAL

CORTEH

Dr Noorulain
● Cerebrum consists of
two cerebral hemispheres.

● Each cerebral
hemispheres covered by a
layer of cerebral cortex
or pallium.
● The central region is
consist of white matter
along with the small
masses of grey matter
TYPES OF
CELLS
● Pyramidal cells

● Non pyramidal
cells
PYRAMIDAL
CELLS

● Flasked shaped or
triangular cell
bodies.
● Apical dendrites
arises from apex of
cell body and ends
in the most
superficial layer of
cortex.
● Four or more
branching dendrites
arises from base.
● The axon which arises from
center of base runs into
underlying white matter to
become projection or
association fibre.

● Classified into small,

medium and large varieties.
NON PYRAMIDAL
CELLS

● Granule cells

● Horizontal
cells

● Martinotti
cells

● Fusiform cells
GRANULE CELLS/STELLATE
CELLS

● Gives off number of

small dendrites in
various direction giving
star shaped
appearance.

● Most of the intrinsic

inputs to the cerebral
cortex terminate on the
dendrites of these cells.
HORIzONTAL
CELLS
● Small,fusiform.

● Runs horizontally.

● Found in most
superficial layer.

● Consists of many short

dendrites and long axon
which runs parallel to
the cortex making
contact with pyramidal
cells.
MARTINOTTI
CELLS
● Small, found in
deeper layers.

● Consists of
short dendrites
but long axon
ascends
towards the
superficial layer.
FUSIFORM
CELLS

● Spindle shaped cell

bodies.

● Axon arises from

side of the cell body
and descends in white
matter.

● Each end give rise

to branching
dendrites.
LAYERS OF THE CEREBRAL
CORTEH
● Molecular (plexiform)
layer

○ Is composed chiefly of cell

processes(axons & dendrites)

○ large no. of synapses happen

here(synaptic zone).

○ Neuroglial and horizontal

cells of cajal are present

pyramidal cell,fusiform
cells,martinotti cells
● External granular
layer
packed
○ Numerous closely
granule cells.(small)

○ Large number of small

pyramidal cells.
● External pyramidal
cell layer

○ pyramidal cells (medium)

○ Consists of granule cells

and martinotti.
● Internal granular
layer

○ closely packed granule

cells and pyramidal cells.

○ Horizontal nerve fibres

(outer band of Baillarger)

● Internal pyramidal cell
layer (ganglionic layer)

○ largest pyramidal cells

■ particularly in motor
area(giant pyramidal cell
called Betz cells)

○ inner fibres of

Baillarger(horizontal).

○ Fusiform, granule and martinotti

cells are also present.

● Multiform cell layer

○ fusiform cells,
pyramidal,stellate,martinott
i,and neuroglia cells)

○ many nerve fibres entering

white matter.
 HETEROTYPICAL
CORTEH

Granular cortex(postcentral
gyrus,hippocampal gyrus,superior temporal
gyrus)
Agranular cortex(precentral gyrus,frontal
lobe)
● Q NO .1 Give at least two identifying points of
cerebral cortex?

● Q NO .2 Name all the cells that are present in

the multiform layer?
POINTS OF
IDENTIfiCATION
THE END