Purkinje cells are located in which layer of the cerebellum?

Purkinje cells are located in which layer of the cerebellum?

• A. Molecular layer of cerebellum
• B. Purkinje layer of cerebellum
• C. Granular layer of cerebellum
• D. Molecular layer of cerebrum

Answer: (B)

Purkinje cells form a single, distinct layer in the cerebellar cortex—the Purkinje cell layer. This layer sits between the molecular layer above, where their dendrites extend and receive input, and the granular layer below, which contains granule cells. Purkinje cells are the main output neurons of the cerebellar cortex, sending inhibitory signals to the deep cerebellar nuclei. The molecular layer is not where their cell bodies reside, it’s where their dendrites and many synapses are located; the granular layer is a separate layer with granule cells. Also, this arrangement is specific to the cerebellum, not the cerebrum, so references to a cerebrum layer aren’t applicable here.

Purkinje cells form a single, distinct layer in the cerebellar cortex—the Purkinje cell layer. This layer sits between the molecular layer above, where their dendrites extend and receive input, and the granular layer below, which contains granule cells. Purkinje cells are the main output neurons of the cerebellar cortex, sending inhibitory signals to the deep cerebellar nuclei. The molecular layer is not where their cell bodies reside, it’s where their dendrites and many synapses are located; the granular layer is a separate layer with granule cells. Also, this arrangement is specific to the cerebellum, not the cerebrum, so references to a cerebrum layer aren’t applicable here.