NERVOUS TISSUE

Created by: Dr. Diana Vera Estrada

Dr. Yisel Mi Guzmán Leguel

yisel.guzman@edu.uag.mx
Block I Fundamentals of medicine I
Learning Objectives

Identify the different cells that form the nervous tissue.

Identify the intracellular components of neurons.

Recognize the classification of neurons according to function and shape.

Recognize the different functions of glial cells.

Understand the histological organization of peripheral nerves.

 Overview of the nervous system
• The central
nervous system
(CNS)

• The peripheral
nervous system.
(PNS)
Functionally
The sensory (afferent)
component receives
information and
transmits it to the CNS
for processing

The motor (efferent)

component transmits
responses to effectors
such as muscles and
cells.
 Cells of the nervous system
Derived from Ectoderm

• Neurons are responsible for the receptive,

integrative, and motor functions of the nervous
system.

• Supporting Cells (Neuroglial cells)

Are responsible for supporting, protecting, and
assisting neurons in neural transmission.
THE NEURON

Most neurons are

composed of three
distinct parts:
cell body , multiple
dendrites , and
a single axon .

Barbara Young, PhD. Wheater's Functional Histology. Nerve Tissue. Sixth Edition. Elsevier.
THE NEURON
• Ranging in
diameter from 5 to
150 µm.
• Nucleus: large,
ovoid, centrally
located.
• Nissl substance
• RER is a prominent
feature.
• Numerous
mitochondria.
• Neurofilaments.
Barbara Young, PhD. Wheater's Functional Histology. Nerve Tissue. Sixth Edition. Elsevier.
 Perikaryon

• Polyribosomes are also

scattered throughout
the cytoplasm.

• When stained with basic

dyes, they appear as
clumps of basophilic
material called
Large multipolar neuron. 750×. Luxol fast blue and cresyl violet.
Nissl bodies . NS (Nissl substance).

Netter Essential histology. Nervous tissue chapter 5.

Dendrites
• They have processes
specialized for
receiving stimuli from
sensory cells, axons,
and other neurons.
• Often the dendrites
are multibranched.
• The nerve impulses
received by the
dendrites are then
transmitted toward the
soma.
AXONS
• Axons are effector processes that transmit stimuli to
other neurons or effector cells.

• Main Function: to convey information away from the

cell body to another neuron or to an effector cell.
Such as the muscle.

Each neuron has only

one axon and it may be
extremely long. It
originates from the
axon Hillock
 The axon Hillock
• Usually lacks large cytoplasmic organelles such as Nissl
bodies and Golgi cisternae.

The region of the axon between the apex of the axon

hillock and the beginning of the myelin sheath is called
initial segment, the site at which an action potential is
generated in the axon.
• Classification of Neurons (Function)

• 1. Sensory neurons convey impulses from receptors to the

CNS. Processes of these neurons are included in somatic
afferent and visceral afferent nerve fibers.
• 2. Motor neurons convey impulses from the CNS or ganglia to
effector cells.

• 3. Interneurons, are also called intercalated neurons.

• Located completely in the CNS, function as interconnectors

or integrators that establish networks of neuronal circuits
between sensory and motoneurons and other
interneurons.
•Classification of Neurons (Morphology)

• Multipolar.
• Bipolar
• Pseudo-unipolar
Synapses

Are specialized junctions between neurons that

facilitate the transmission of impulses from one
(presynaptic) to another (postsynaptic) neuron.

Synapses also occur between axons and effector cells,

such as muscle and gland cells.
Support cells : Neuroglia

• Astrocytes
• Oligodendrocytes
• Microglial cells
• Ependymal cells.
• Schwan cells.

Di Fiore. Atlas of Histology.

 Functions of various neuroglial cells

• Physical support and protection for neurons.

• Insulation for nerve cell bodies and processes that
facilitate the rapid transmission of nerve impulses.
• Repair of neuronal injury
• Regulation of the internal fluid environment.
• Clearance of neurotransmitters
• Metabolic exchange between the vascular system and
the neurons of the nervous system.
Supporting cells: the Neuroglia
• In the PNS: Peripheral Neuroglia
• In the CNS: Central Neuroglia.

• Neuroglial cells undergo mitosis.

• Although neuroglial cells form gap junctions with other

neuroglial cells, they do not react to or propagate nerve
impulses, but they assist neurons in the performance of their
neural transmission.
 Most common glial cell type in CNS

Apical surfaces are covered with cilia and microvilli

 Astrocytes
• Clinical correlation:
• In Electron micrographs: display intermediate filaments composed
of glial fibrillar acidic protein , which is unique to astrocytes.

Tumors arising from fibrous astrocytes, fibrous astrocytomas,

account for about 80% of adult primary tumors. They can be
identified microscopically and by their GFAP specificity.
Microglial Cells

• These cells originate in the

bone marrow and are part of
the mononuclear phagocytic
cell population.

These cells function as phagocytes in clearing debris

and damaged structures in the CNS.

Microglial cells also protect the nervous system from viruses,

microorganisms and tumor formation.
 Ependymal Cells
• Ependymal cells (ependymocytes) are simple columnar to cuboidal epithelial cells lining
the ventricles of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord.
• In some regions, these cells are ciliated, a feature that facilitates the movement of the
Cerebrospinal Fluid. And microvilli (which help with CSF absorption).
 Schwann Cells
• They are located in the PNS, where they envelop axons.

• Main Function: support myelinated and unmyelinated nerve

cell fibers.
• Schwann cells aid in cleaning up PNS debris and guide the
regrowth of PNS axons.

• Myelin is the plasmalemma of the Schwann cell organized into

a sheath that is wrapped several times around the axon.

• Nodes of Ranvier
• Interruptions occur in the myelin sheath at regular
intervals along the length of the axon, exposing the
axon; these interruptions are called nodes of Ranvier

Rich
in voltage-
gated
Na + ion
channels

• Internodal
segment
 Peripheral Nervous System
• Peripheral Nerves
Are bundles of nerve fibers (axons), located outside of the
CNS, surrounded by several investments of connective tissue
sheaths.
Normally: Mixed nerves (sensory and motor components)
Purely sensory
Purely motor
Peripheral nerve

Connective tissue investments of peripheral nerves

include:

• The epineurium.
• The perineurium.
• The endoneurium.
 Light micrograph of a cross-
section of a fascicle of
peripheral nerve (×132).
P= Perinerium
A: axon

• The epineurium.
• The perineurium.
• The
endoneurium.
 *Blood-brain-barrier
Prevents circulating blood substances
(bacteria, drugs) from reaching the CSF/
CNS. Formed by 4 structures:
Tight junctions between nonfenestrated
capillary endothelial cells)

Basal Membrane

Pericytes (contractile proteins)

Astrocyte Endfeet (contain arrays of

proteins, relay signals to regulate blood
flow in response to neuronal activity).
 Bibliography:
• Gartner, Leslie P. PhD. Textbook of histology. Nerve tissue. 2017. 4TH Edition. Elsevier.

• Michael H. Ross. Histology and text Atlas with correlated cell and molecular biology. Nerve tissue . 6th
edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

• Di Fiore’s Atlas of histology with functional correlations. Victor P. Eroschenko 12th ediition.