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Pyramidal nerve cell. Computer illustration of pyramidal nerve cells from the cerebral cortex of the brain. Pyramidal cells are so named for their triangular cell bodies (purple, with red nucleus). Each cell body has numerous processes (dendrites) that collect and transmit information from other nerve cells and sensory cells. Each cell body also has an axon (upper frame) leading from it, through which it passes information to other cells. The cerebral cortex, also known as the grey matter, is the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres. It is responsible for the higher brain functions, such as memory, language and consciousness, and for processing sensory input. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/RUSSELL KIGHTLEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)