LAYERS OF THE CORTEX

NOTE: Layers I through VI vary in thickness in different cortical regions. Layer IV is most pronounced in the sensory projection cortex and layer V is most pronounced in the primary motor cortex (pre-central gyrus). The majority of cortical neurons travel vertically through the layers as you will note in the diagram, thus the concept of the (vertical unit organization). Layers II and III are composed of small and medium sized pyramidal cells and function primarily as association neurons.

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