Higher magnification LM of the cerebellar cortex. This conventional stain can distinguish the three distinctive layers of cerebellar cortex but does not adequately demonstrate the extensive branches of apical dendrites associated with Purkinje cells (PC). Only primary dendrites (arrows) are seen. 400×. H&E.
EM of part of the cerebellar cortex. Ultrastructural features—soma and apical dendrite—of a Purkinje cell are clearly seen. The spherical nucleus is euchromatic and contains a nucleolus. The perikaryon contains abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, scattered mitochondria, and lysosomes. A primary dendrite projects apically. Small round granule cells are also visible. The surrounding neuropil contains neuronal processes of various size interspersed with glial cell processes. 3100×.