Nervous Tissue

Outline:
1- Introduction
2- Nerve cell
3- part of neuron
4-Types of neuron
5-Neuroglia
6-Functions of neuroglial cells
Introduction
Nervous tissue is found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It is responsible for coordinating
and controlling many body activities. It stimulates muscle contraction, creates an awareness
of the environment, and plays a major role in emotions, memory, and reasoning. To do all
these things, cells in nervous tissue need to be able to communicate with each other by way
of electrical nerve impulses. The cells in nervous tissue that generate and conduct impulses
are called neurons or nerve cells.
Nervous tissue consist of 2
principal type of cells:

. Neurons (nerve cells) – the structural and functional units

of the nervous system, which transmit electrochemical
impulses

.Supporting (neuroglial) cells – non- conducting,

morphologically diverse cells
Nerve cell
A nerve cell, also known as a neuron, is a specialized cell in the nervous system that is
responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body. Neurons
are the basic building blocks of the nervous system and play a crucial role in the
communication and processing of information. It consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an
axon.
Neuron
1-Independent functional units of nervous system.

2-Are specialized to receive stimuli from other cells and to conduct electrical
impulses to other parts of the system via their processes.

3-Are arranged as a communications network.

4-Neurons play a crucial role in sensory perception, motor control, and cognitive
processes such as memory and learning.

5-Nerve cells are typically long-lived and can persist throughout an individual's
lifetime.

6-Nerve cells have high energy requirements due to their active involvement in
electrical signaling and information processing.
 Types of neuron
classified according to 3 criteria
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………

. Morphology
. Size
. Function
Morphology of nerve cells
Neurons are classified on the basis of the number of processes
extending from the cell body

1-Multipolar: 1 axonand2 or more dendrites

2-Bipolar: 1 axonand 1 dendrite

3-Pseudounipolar: one process,

The axon, which divides close to the
Cell body into two long processes
Types of neurons according to size

Golgi type I: long axon ranging from few milimeters to a

meter (site: pyramidal neurons of cerebral cortex, motor
neurons of spinal cord)

Golgi type II : very short axon, that terminates near the

cell body (very numerous in cerebral and cerebellar
cortex)
Types of neurons according to functions

.Motor (efferent) neurons: carry motor impulses from CNS to peripheral end
organs (site: anterior horn of the spinal cord)

.Sensory (afferent) neurons: receive impulses from peripheral sensory cells and
carry them toward CNS (site: sensory spinal ganglia)

.Interneurons (association neurons): they are short neurons that connect a

sensorys and a motor neuron
Neuroglia
Neuroglia, also known as glial cells or simply glia, are non-neuronal cells that provide
support and protection for neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral
nervous system (PNS). glial cells play crucial roles in maintaining the normal functioning of
neurons and overall brain health. Neuroglia are divided into several types, including
astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells.
Functions of neuroglial cells
1. Providing structural support

2. creation of myelin sheaths around nerve fibers

3. Provide nutrition of the nervous tissue

4. Removing waste products

5. Repair and Regeneration

References
1-https://rupress.org/jcb/article/79/3/637/56382/Intermediate-filaments-in-nervous-tissues
2-https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.179.4077.1011
3-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780123971791000014