Wide filament protrusions {dendrite}| from soma have synapses for axons.
anatomy
Dendrites have microtubules. Dendrites do not myelinate or have one myelin layer.
shape
Branching dendrites provide maximal surface area for receiving input from other neurons. Larger diameter and/or shorter length make larger effects on initial segment.
Proximal and distal dendrites are different.
Widespread dendrites receive from many sources. Compact dendrites receive from one source.
Dendrites can radiate straight out in all directions with few spines, as in large ventral-horn motor cells and reticular-formation cells. They can branch with spines curving in one direction, as in cerebral-cortex pyramidal cells and secondary sense nuclei. They can have special patterns and locations. Cerebellar Purkinje cells are planar semicircles. Inferior-olive clustered cells are curved and wavy. Ventral-cochlear nucleus cells are tufted. Smaller branches are at acute angles and have thorns.
Dendrite patterns match incoming axon patterns. Branches orient along body axes, brain surfaces, and nerve bundles.
Dendrites can change shape over days.
main
Cell body typically has several dendrite origins {basal dendrite}. Cerebellar Purkinje cells have one dendrite trunk {apical dendrite}. Dorsal-root ganglion cells have no dendrites. Invertebrate cells often have one axon, with dendrites from it.
properties
Dendrites have high resistance and capacitance. At dendrite ends, membrane is relatively unexcitable.
Biological Sciences>Zoology>Organ>Nerve>Neuron>Parts
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Date Modified: 2022.0224