FIGURE 2-11 Brain Cells Branches emanate from the cell bodies of a prototypical neuron (left) and a glial cell (right). This branching organization increases the cell’s surface area. This type of neuron is called a pyramidal cell because the cell body is shaped somewhat like a pyramid; the glial cell is called an astrocyte because of its star-shaped appearance.

Kasthuri and Lichtman, Harvard University
Nancy Kedersha/Science Photo Library Science Source