Electron-microscopic study of the synapses of the cerebral cortex in man

Abstract

With the electron microscope I have examined the structure of the synapses in the cerebral cortex of man. On both the pyramidal and stellate cells, there are only a few axosomatic synapses; all are symmetrical. Most of those in the neuropil are on dendritic spines and there is the occasional spine apparatus. Apart from the small number of axosomatic spines on the stellate cells, these findings are similar to those previously reported in other mammals.

Synaptic Development and Related Disturbances*

“…In the adult cerebral cortex, the majority of synaptic forms is the axonic contact with dendritic spines (Galbraith, 1980). With maturation, the predominant form of synapses transforms from axodendritic shaft ones to axo-dendritic spine ones (Cotman et al, 1973).…”