R.N.

Kapoor Memorial Homoeopathic Hospital &

Medical College, INDORE

TOPIC
“ NEUROGLIA ”

Dr. VINAY PATIDAR

Assist. Professor
 CONTENT
 INTRODUCTION

 CHARACTERSTICS OF GLIAL CELLS

 CLASSIFICATION:
1. There are four major types of Central Nervous System (CNS) neuroglial cells:
 Astrocytes

 Ependymal Cells

 Microglial Cells (microglia)

 Oligodendrocytes
2. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) contains neuroglial cells:
 Schwann cells
 INTRODUCTION

Cells that provide metabolic support and immune

protection for neurons.

The neuroglia or Glial cells fill spaces, provide

structural framework, produce myelin, and carry on
phagocytosis.
 CHARACTERSTICS OF GLIAL CELLS

Neuroglia outnumber neurons by about 10:1 in the

Central Nervous System. Neuroglia do not generate or
conduct nerve impulses. However, unlike neurons,
glial cells can regenerate if injured.

Essentially, since neurons are such specialized cells,

neuroglial cells perform support roles for the neurons
to ensure their survival.

Cells that provide metabolic support and immune

protection for neurons.
 CLASSIFICATION

 THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR TYPES OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) NEUROGLIAL CELLS :

 Astrocytes

 Ependymal Cells

 Microglial Cells (microglia)

 Oligodendrocytes
 ASTROCYTES

STRUCTURE:

 Astrocytes get their name due to the fact that they look
somewhat like a star.

 They have a central cell body surrounded by several

cytoplasmic projections.

 Typically found in the brain.

 The cell body usually sits between a blood capillary and a

neuron of the brain.
 ASTROCYTES (Cont.)

FUNCTION:

 Function as the blood brain barrier

– Regulate the flow of ions, sugars, oxygen, & carbon dioxide into and out of neurons

– Prevent toxins and poisons from entering brain neurons

 Provide for the energy and other metabolic needs of neurons as well as giving nervous tissue structural support.

 When neurons of the brain or the spinal cord are injured and destroyed, they are replaced with scar tissue made
up of astrocytes (a process called gliosis).
 EPENDYMAL CELLS
STRUCTURE:

 Usually cube-shaped

 Cells that line the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) containing cavities of the

brain – the ventricles and the spinal columns central canal.

FUNCTION:

 CSF is secreted by a specialized subset of ependymal cells in the walls

of the ventricles of the brain called the choroid plexus.

 CSF is a Clear liquid that fills internal cavities in the brain and spinal

cord. Ependymal cells have cilia to help circulate CSF.

 It Protects the brain and spinal cord both mechanically and

immunologically.
 MICROGLIAL CELLS (MICROGLIA)

STRUCTURE:

Smallest of the neuroglial cells.

Able to migrate around the CNS.

FUNCTION:

Phagocytic cells, similar to macrophages, that perform a

housekeeping function by removing dead cellular material and
bacteria from the CNS.
 OLIGODENDROCYTES

STRUCTURE:

Oligodendrocytes occur in rows along nerve fibers.

They provide insulating layers of myelin around axons within the

brain and spinal cord

Myelin helps to speed up the transmission of electrical signals in

neurons

FUNCTION:

Cells responsible for myelination of axons within the Central

Nervous System.
 THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS) CONTAINS NEUROGLIAL CELLS:

 Schwann cells
SCHWANN CELLS
The peripheral nervous system contains neuroglial cells as well.

These cells are called Schwann Cells.

Schwann cells form a covering called a Myelin Sheath around

axons.

Basically they perform the same roll as the oligodendrocytes

found in the CNS.