Which statement best describes pseudounipolar neurons?

• A. Two separate processes from the cell body
• B. Separate dendrite and axon extending from the soma on opposite sides
• C. A single process that splits into two branches
• D. Multiple dendrites and a single axon

Answer: (C)

Pseudounipolar neurons are specialized for quick sensory signaling and have a single process that emerges from the cell body and then splits into two branches. One branch extends peripherally to sensory receptors (in skin, organs, etc.), and the other runs centrally into the spinal cord or brainstem. This setup gives the appearance of one process rather than distinct dendrite and axon from opposite sides of the cell body.

Developmentally, they start as bipolar neurons, but the two initial processes fuse into a single stalk that branches into peripheral and central pathways. This is different from bipolar neurons, which truly have two separate processes (one dendrite and one axon) extending from opposite sides, and from multipolar neurons, which have many dendrites plus one axon.