Neuron Processes

You may be familiar with the branched out structure of the neuron - multiple, short dendrites and one long axon. But did you know that there are actually other neuron structures that differ in the number of processes?

Processes are the project parts of an organic structure - in the case of the neuron, they are the dendrites and the axon. You are probably most familiar with the multipolar neuron, which has at least three processes extending from the soma - one axon and two or more dendrites. Multipolar neurons are the most abundant type of neurons and are usually motor neurons and interneurons. But did you know there are two other structures? Take a look at the picture below:

Image result for neuron multipolar bipolar unipolar

Image result for neuron multipolar bipolar unipolar

The bipolar neurons have two processes - one axon and one dendrite - that extend from opposite sides of the cell body. Bipolar neurons are rare and are only found in sensory organs - for example, the retina of the eye.

Unipolar neurons are sensory neurons that have one process extending from the soma. In some cases, the single process splits into two, as in the picture above.

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Image Credit:
(1) “Three Basic Types of Neuronal Arrangements.” Wikimedia Commons, 31 Jan. 2013, upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Three_Basic_Types_of_Neuronal_Arrangements.png.

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