GRANULE CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Granule cells refer to a specific type of neuron found in the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in the cerebellum and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. These cells are called "granule cells" because they are smaller in size and have a distinct granular appearance under the microscope.
In the cerebellum, granule cells are the most abundant type of neuron and are located within the granular layer. They receive information from the mossy fibers, which convey sensory and motor information to the cerebellum. The granule cells process this information and send it to the Purkinje cells, facilitating the coordination and fine-tuning of movements.
In the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, granule cells are involved in memory formation and spatial learning. They receive input from the entorhinal cortex and send output to the CA3 region of the hippocampus. This communication is essential for the encoding and retrieval of memories.
Granule cells have numerous dendrites, which allow them to receive inputs from various sources, and an axon that sends output to other neurons. They are characterized by their high excitability, which means they have a low threshold for generating electrical signals.
Overall, granule cells play crucial roles in sensory processing, motor coordination, and memory formation. Their unique morphology and functional properties make them an important component of neural circuits in the CNS.
Common Misspellings for GRANULE CELLS
- franule cells
- vranule cells
- branule cells
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- yranule cells
- tranule cells
- geanule cells
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- g5anule cells
- g4anule cells
- grznule cells
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- grwnule cells
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- grabule cells
- gramule cells
- grajule cells
- grahule cells
Etymology of GRANULE CELLS
The word "granule" in "granule cells" has Latin origins. It comes from the Latin word "granulum", meaning "small grain" or "small particle". The term "granule cells" specifically refers to a type of small neuron found in the cerebellum, named so due to their small and granular appearance.
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