Figure 2.

Laminar differences in pyramidal neurons. (A) A graphic representation of pyramidal neurons in the six-layered neocortex. To the right are descriptions of the cell body density aspects of each neocortical layer. (B) Pyramidal neurons are distinct amongst the upper and lower layers, however, each one shares a common structure. Note the pyramidal somas of Layer III and Layer V neurons, the apical dendrite (AD) extends toward the pia, the basal dendrites (BD) extend toward layer VI, dendrites studded with spines, and an axon projecting toward white matter to go on to their designated targets. On the right is text describing main differences between upper and lower layer neurons. (C) Schematic of laminar organization with selected transcription factors, green bars, on the left and post-transcriptional factors, purple bars, on the right. Layers are labeled on left.