Abstract: Grid cells were found in the medial entorhinal cortex with significant space-discharge characteristics and grid firing fields. Recent studies on grid cells’ function have brought a new vision for understanding the mechanism of spatial memory. This work basically focused on the discovery, neuroanatomical relationship and discharge characteristics of grid cells. A comparative analysis of place cells was performed with reference to the spatial encoding mechanism of grid cells according to the self-motion information and at the same time its role as path integrator in spatial memory was also discussed.

Key words: grid cell, place cell, spatial memory, path integration