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Unipolar Neuron – Structure and Functions

Unipolar Neuron – Structure and Functions

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Nov 7th, 2022

Neurons are structurally classified based on the number of processes attached to the cell body (soma).

Unipolar (pseudounipolar) neurons have one process that attached to the cell body.

An image showing a unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the cell body labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

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This short process also attaches to the axon, which makes it appear as if the cell body sits aside the axon.

An image showing the cell body labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the axon and cell body all labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

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Inside the cell body are the nucleus and typical organelles. The secretory vesicles and macromolecules made in the cell body enter the nearby axon via the interconnecting process.
The location of the cell body process appears to divide the axon into parts, a peripheral process and a central process.

An image showing the axon and cell body all labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the Peripheral process, cell body and axon all labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the Central process, Peripheral process, cell body and axon all labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

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At the distal end of the peripheral process are dendrites, which are usually embedded in a peripheral organ function as a receptor.

An image showing the Central process, Peripheral process, cell body and axon all labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the Dendrites , Central process, Peripheral process, cell body and axon all labeled , unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS

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The peripheral process conducts action potentials from the dendrites to the cell body, where they pass directly to the central process. They then move away from the cell body and enter the central nervous system (CNS).

Learn the anatomy of the nervous system step-by-step with these interactive quizzes and labelling exercises.

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

An image showing the action potential conduction through unipolar neuron, the image contains (1. Dendrites 2. Peripheral process 3. Axon 5. Cell body 6. Central process) all labeled

Peripheral processes are usually long, In the lower extremities they can be over a meter in length.
In comparison, central processes vary in length. Some stop after entering the CNS and synapse with another neuron. Others enter the CNS and extend for some distance before synapsing.
Unipolar neurons are the most common type of sensory neuron. In addition to pain and touch, they also carry information about temperature, taste, proprioception (body position) and visceral organ activity.

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS

An image showing the action potential moving through pain pathway of a unipolar neuron which connects between the organ and the CNS