Pyramidal Cell

The characteristic neuron of the gray matter of the cerebral cortex is the pyramidal cell, which is named for its triangular cell body. These cells feature a thick, branching dendrite that extends toward the surface of the cortex. Dendrites also extend from other sites along the cell body. On the opposite side of the cell from the thick dendrite, an axon descends toward the inner white matter of the brain. The axon is difficult to see and may not be apparent in all cells.