THE CEEEBELLUM 



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The most conspicuous and distinctive elements of the cerebellar 

 cortex are the Purkinje cells, situated along a line marking the division 

 between molecular and granular layers. They are regarded as belong- 

 ing to the molecular layer. The remaining cellular elements of the 

 cortex cannot be studied in detail in ordinary histologic preparations. 

 They must be identified mainly by their relative size and position. Our 



FIG. 525. A PURKINJE CELL FROM THE HUMAN CEREBELLAR CORTEX. 

 Moderately magnified. Photo. (After Berkley.) 



knowledge of their finer structure and their interrelationships has 

 been gained by use of special staining technics, chiefly the Golgi process. 

 By use of this technic two other types of cells can be distinguished 

 in the molecular layer: the small cortical cells, and the large cortical 

 or basket-cells. 



The Purkinje cells are large flask-shaped elements, with typically 

 a robust dendron and a delicate axon at opposite poles. The axon 

 passes centrally to contribute to the white matter of the medulla. It 

 gives off numerous collaterals, some of which turn back into the molec- 

 ular layer and terminate in relation with neighboring cells of Purkinje. 

 The dendron passes toward the surface dividing almost immediately 



