Which layer of the cerebellar cortex contains the cell bodies of Purkinje cells and is interposed between the molecular layer and the granular layer?

• A Stratum lucidum
• B Subgranular zone
• C Stellate cell layer
• D Purkinje cell layer ✓

Explanation

The cerebellar cortex has three layers: the outermost molecular layer (contains stellate and basket cells, dendrites of Purkinje cells, parallel fibers), the middle Purkinje cell layer (a single layer of large Purkinje cell bodies), and the innermost granular layer (contains granule cells and Golgi cells). Purkinje cells are the sole output neurons of the cerebellar cortex, projecting inhibitory GABAergic signals to the deep cerebellar nuclei. Climbing fibers from the inferior olivary nucleus make powerful synaptic contacts directly on Purkinje cell dendrites.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.