Biology:Granular layer (cerebellum)

Short description: Innermost layer of the cerebellar cortex

The granular layer is the innermost layer of the cerebellar cortex. The cerebellar cortex (gray matter) is composed of three layers: molecular layer, purkinje cells and granular layer, respectively from outermost to innermost. The cerebellum is mainly responsible for managing the coordination of skeletal muscles and body movements.

The neurons of the granular layer (granule cells) are very small with estimated diameter of only 4-5 μm. These cells are among the smallest cells in the body. The cells of granular layer are densely packed together (in contrast with the cells of molecular layer which are sparse).

References

• Junqueira's Basic Histology Text and Atlas, 13th Edition, P174 & P161