NERVOUS TISSUE

Functions of Nervous Tissue

● Responsible for coordinating,controlling many

body activities.

● Stimulates muscle contraction.

● Creates an awareness.

● Plays a major roles in emotion,memory and

reasoning.
 NERVOUS TISSUE
Made up of closely packed cells that
are separated by a very little amount
of intercellular substance. Nervous
tissue in the body is organized to
comprise the nervous system.

NERVOUS SYSTEM DIVISION:

Central nervous system: it simply consists of a mass of cells

that are about on each other.

Peripheral nervous system: some amount of intercellular

material, mainly connective tissue albeit minimal.
 Cells of Nervous Tissues
Neurons ( nerve cells ) and
Supporting cells ( neuroglial or glial cells )

Neurons ( Nerve Cells )

The functional units of nervous tissue , they
perform all the functions of the tissue .
Neurons are arranged in close apposition
to, and communicate extensively with, each
other.
 Parts of a Neuron
The processes of neurons are of
two kinds:
Axon and Dendrite.

Neurons are terminally

differentiated cells that are
incapable of cell division. In
adults, very few neuronal stem
cells persist. However the Axons
and Dendrites can regenerate
when damaged, provided the cells
body is intact.
 Perikaryon
The cell body of the perikaryon of a neuron
consists of a nucleus that is surrounded by
basophilic cytoplasm ( neuroplasm ) and
enclosed by a cell membrane ( neuron ) .
Neuron has cytoplasmic organelles, a
cytoskeleton and inclusions.

Nucleus
Neurons have only one nucleus, but some have
more. The nucleus of neurons is typically large
spherical or ovoid, and centrally located.
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Neurons contains the same cytoplasmic organelles present in other cell types including :
Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Complex, Ribosomes and Mitochondria, Lysosomes
Peroxisomes and a Centrisome.

Nissl Bodies ( chromophilic substances; Tigroid bodies )

Abundant throughout the perikaryon and are also found in dendrites, but they are notably
absent in the axon and the axon hillock.
In other cell types the rERs and Golgi Complex are involved in the synthesis of proteins
essential for the maintenance of the structural and metabolic integrity of the cell.

Mitochondria
Are abundant in neurons, but they are generally smaller than those seen on other cell
types. Their numbers vary from neuron to neuron and for different parts of the same
neuron.
 Lysosomes
In as much as neurons are long-lived, the lysosomes come in handy in recycling
proteins from senescent cellular structures and in dealing with abnormal and foreign
proteins.

Peroxisomes
Consistently present in significant numbers in neurons, where they are found in the main
body and are smaller ( about um 0.25 to 0.5 um in diameter ). They probably help in
preventing the degeneration of the neuron by not allowing the accumulation of strong
oxidizing agents and by playing role in detoxifying noxious substances.
 Centrosome ( MTOC )
The organelle that is generally present in neurons, despite the fact that neurons are
incapable of cell division. It is usually located in the peripheral area of the perikaryon.

Inclusions
A variety of inclusions are seen the perikaryon of neurons. Fat droplets are common, as
well as lipochrome or lipofuschin granules. Some neurons have pigment granules,
notably melanin and iron.
 Melanin Granules
Present in nerves cells of the substantia nigra of the midbrain, the locus coeruleus near
the fourth ventricle, and the spinal and sympathetic ganglia.

Iron Granules
Present in the neurons in the globus pallidus .
 Cytoskeleton of Neurons
As in other cells, the cytoskeleton of neurons is formed by three types of fibrillar
elements, collectively referred to as neurofibrils,
1) Microfilament
2) Intermediate Filament
3) Microtubules

Neurofilaments provide internal support for the cell and fix the diameter of dendrites and
axons. The microtubules in neurons often referred to as neurotubules, are similar to
those found in other cell types.
 Process of
neurons
The process of a neuron is a
cytoplasmic extension of the cell
body. Dendrites and Axon
Neurons also known as nerve
cells.
This are cells in our body
responsible for transmitting
electrical signals through nervous
system.
 Classification of Neurons

Multipolar (brain and spinal cord) Bipolar (mouth, eyes, nose and ears)

Unipolar
(spinal cord to sensory receptors)
Functionally, Neurons classified into 3 groups

o Sensory neurons ( afferent neurons )

which receive and transmit stimuli to the CNS

o Motor neurons
are cells in the brain and spinal cord that allow us to move, speak, swallow and breathe
by sending commands from the brain to the muscles that carry out these functions

o Interneurons
Convey impulse from one neuron to another. “MIDDLE MAN” they interpret information
receive from another neuron ang relay impulses to motor neurons for an appropriate
response.
Three main Parts of Neurons
• Cell Body
• Dendrites
• Axon
Cell Body ( soma)

the core section of the neuron and

contains organelles like nucleus,
Golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum,
mitochondria and
other components
that carries genetic information,
maintains the neuron’s structure,and
provides energy to drive activities.
 Dendrites
• Most neurons contain many dendrites.

• which conduct electrical impulses

toward the cell body of the nerve
cell.

• Dendrites collects messages through the

other neurons or the nerves in the human
body.
Axon
The axon is the part of neuron that transmits electrical impulses, and be received by
other neurons.
• AXON HILLOCK – Generates impulse in the neurons.

• MYELIN SHEATH – increases the speed of the signal.

• SCHWANN CELL - produces the myelin sheath.

• NODE OF RANVIER – allow diffusion of ions.

• AXON TERMINAL - forms junctions with other cells.

 Synapse

Region or site where communication occurs

between two neurons.
 Types of Synapses

• Electrical synapse
• Chemical synapse
Electrical Synapse

in these synapses, ions flow directly between cells.

Chemical Synapse

In chemical synapse, the nerve impulse transmitted from one neuron

to another cell by means of chemical substances called
neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters – a molecule released from synaptic vesicle that carries messages

( signals).

Synaptic vesicles – contain chemical called neurotransmitter.

Presynaptic neuron – sending neuron

Postsynaptic neuron – receiving neuron

The major difference between a
chemical and an electrical synapse is
that in a chemical synapse, the nerve
impulse is transmitted chemically via
neurotransmitters, whereas in an
electrical synapse, the nerve impulse is
transmitted electrically via channel
proteins.
Difference between Neurons and
Neuroglia
Neuron - Neurons are the structural and functional units of the nervous system.
They help in the conduction of nerve impulses. Neurons are made up of three
main parts – axon, dendrites and cell body. Sensory neurons carry information
from the sensory receptors and transmit it to the brain. The motor neurons
transmit information from the brain to the body.

Neuroglia - Neuroglia are non-neuronal cells that support and protect

the neurons. Neuroglia in the central nervous system include astrocytes,
oligodendrocytes, microglial cells, and ependymal cells. Schwann cells
and satellite cells are the neuroglia in the peripheral nervous system.
 Neuroglial Cells (Neuroglia; Glial cells; Gia)
Interspersed among the neurons in nervous tissue are supporting cells and aid them in
performing their functions by creating and maintaining an appropriate environment where
neurons can carry out their function, and play a role in neural nutrition.
called NEUROGLIAL CELLS.

In the CNS, there are four types of neuroglial cells

❑ Astrocytes
❑ Oligodendrocytes
❑ Microglia
❑ Ependymal cells

In the PNS, there are two:

❑ Schwann Cells
❑ Satellite Cells
 Astrocytes
Astrocytes are the largest and most abundant of the neuroglial cells.

Types of Astrocytes
❑ Protoplasmic Astrocyte has abundant cytoplasm. Their nucleus is bigger
and paler staining in routine histologic preparation than that of the other
neuroglial cells.

❑ Fibrous Astrocyte have longer, more slender processes than protoplasmic

astrocytes, they are located chiefly in the white matter.
Oligodendrocytes Microglia (Microglial Cell)
(Oligodendroglia)

Microglia, as the name implies, are

Oligodendrocytes are smaller and smaller than astrocytes and
have fewer and shorter processes oligodendrocytes. They are
than astrocytes. They have scanty distributed throughout the CNS.
cytoplasm Their nucleus are small and
elongated while their cytoplasm is
scanty and contains many
lysosomes
 Meninges
The meninges that cover the brain and the spinal cord consists of three layers:
❑ Dura mater ( pachymeninx )
❑ Arachnoid membrane
❑ Pia matter
 Leptomeninx or Pia-arachnoid considered as single entity

In the brain, the outer surface of the dura mater adheres to the inner aspect of the
cranium. It thus acts as and is synonymous with the periosteum of the cranial bones, and
is called periosteal dura.

In the spinal cord, the outer surface of the dura mater is lined by a simple squamous
epithelium and does not adhere to the vertebrae.

The vertebrae have a distinct periosteum connected on the dura mater by ligamentous
strand. A space exists between the periosteum and the dura mater. The space occupied by
fat and venous plexuses is called epidural space.
The inner surface of the dura mater in the brain and spinal cord, on the other hand, which is
also lined by a simple squamous epithelium, is referred to as the meningeal dura. Between
the meningeal dura and arachnoid membrane is an area called subdural space.

The arachnoid membrane is a flat, sheer-like membrane that is thinner than the dura mater.
It is smooth on its outer surface are cobweb ( tram arachnoid ) connective tissue strands
( arachnoid trabeculae ) that is connected to the underlying pia mater.

The pia mater is a thin but highly vascular loose connective tissue layer that is closely
adheres to the substances of the brain and spinal cord.

The arachnoid and the pia mater are separated by space, the subarachnoid space, which
contains cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF )
Ependymal Cells (Ependymocytes)
Ependymal cells are cuboidal cells that possess short cilia and microvilli. They also have
cytoplasmic processes on their basal surface that are relatively short except for those
present in some ependymal in the floor of the third ventricle (tanycytes), which are very long
and extend into the hypothalamus.

Schwann Cells
From the neurilemmal and myelin sheaths of peripheral nerves.

Satellite Cells ( Mantle Cells; Amphicytes)

Satellite cells are small, flattened cells that surround the cell bodies of
neurons that are in ganglia.
Thank you for listening!

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