Multipolar neuron

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Declan Tempany, BSc (Hons)
Last reviewed: February 19, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

The term 'multipolar neuron' represents one of the several classifications of neurons in the nervous system based on their morphological appearance, which refers to how the axon and dendrites are organized in relation to the cell body. Other types include bipolar, unipolar and pseudounipolar neurons.

Multipolar neurons are typically characterized by a single axon and two or more dendrites arising from the cell body. Functionally, the dendrites serve as receptors, while the axon is the primary conducting pathway for electrical impulses.

They are the most common form of neurons throughout the nervous system and include all motor neurons that innervate skeletal muscles, as well as neurons of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and central nervous system (CNS) interneurons.

Multipolar neurons can be further grouped into several subtypes, with pyramidal, stellate, Purkinje and granule cells among the most common.

Terminology	English: Multipolar neuron Latin: Neuron multipolar
Definition	Commonest type of neurons; typically have one axon and two or more dendrites

Learn more about multipolar neurons in the following study unit:

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Hagan, C. E., Bolon, B., & Keene, C. D. (2012). Nervous system. In Comparative anatomy and histology (pp. 339-394). Academic Press.
McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Mescher, A. L., & Junqueira, L. C. (2013). Junqueira's basic histology: Text & atlas. McGraw-Hill Medical.
Ross, M. H., & Pawlina, W. (2011). Histology : a text and atlas : with correlated cell and molecular biology (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health
Young, B., O'Dowd, G., & Woodford, P. (2014). Wheater's functional histology: A text and colour atlas. Churchill Livingston/Elsevier.

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