HISTOLOGY OF NERVOUS TISSUE

BY
DR. MUDASSAR ALI ROOMI (MBBS, M. PHIL)
• Cerebrum is the
largest part of brain.
• Histolgically, Cerebral
cortex varies in
different parts of the
cerebrum
• Allocortex: simplest
cortex. it has got only
two layers e.g. the
olfactory cortex.
• Neocortex: consists of
six superimposed
layers. Most of the
cortex is of this type.
Like cerebellum, the cerebrum also has a cortex
of grey matter on the surface and inner white
matter.
 Cells of the cerebral cortex
• Pyramidal cells
• Non-pyramidal cells:
1. Stellate cells (granule cells)
2. Horizontal cells
3. Martinotti cells
Pyramidal cells

• Multipolar neurons
• Pyramid shaped cell bodies
• Large vesicular nucleus
• Abundant Nissl granules in the
cytoplasm
• Dendrites: one main apical
dendrite and run towards the
most superficial layer of
cortex. Some other small
dendrites are also present.
• Axon: arises from the centre
of base and runs in the white
matter.
• Small, medium and large-sized
pyramidal cells.
Pyramidal cells
 Non-pyramidal cells
1. Stellate cells (also called as granule
cells because of their small size)
2. Horizontal cells: found in the most
superficial layer
3. Martinotti cells: found in the
deeper layers.
 Layers of cerebral cortex
HORIZONTAL
CELLS

1. Molecular or plexiform layer: chiefly

composed of cell processes. Some
horizontal cells are also present.
2. External granular layer: contains small
pyramidal cells and numerous closely
packed stellate cells.
3. External pyramidal layer: composed
mainly of large pyramidal cells and some
granule cells
4. Internal granular layer: consists of closely
packed stellate cells. Nerve fibers make
outer Band of Baillarger.
5. Internal pyramidal layer or ganglionic
layer (Betz cells): contains large pyramidal
cells., stellate cells and Martinotti cells.
Nerve fibers make inner Band of Baillarger.
6. Multiform layer: it contains neurons of
many shapes. Pyramidal cells, stellate cells
and Martinotti cells
How to draw it!
 Cerebrum- identification points

• Outer grey matter

having six layers
• Pyramidal cells
• Inner white matter
 MENINGES

• The brain and spinal cord

is invested by three C.T.
coverings called as
meninges.
• Mater= mother
1. Pia mater, which is the
innermost.
2. Arachnoid mater, which
is external to pia mater.
3. Dura mater, which is the
outermost.
 MENINGES
AROUND BRAIN
 MENINGES
AROUND
SPINAL CORD
 DURA MATER
• Dura= hard (latin word).
• Is has got tough consistency
• Composed of dense
connective tissue
• The dura mater is always
separated from the
arachnoid by the thin
subdural space.
• Inner surface of dura mater
is covered by lining of flat
cells of mesenchymal origin.
 ARACHNOID MATER
• arachnoeides= spiderweblike (Greek
word)
• It Consists of thin layer of connective
tissue
• It has two components: (1) a sheet of
connective tissue in contact with the dura
mater and (2) a system of loosely
arranged trabeculae containing fibroblasts
and collagen.
• This trabecular system is continuous with
the deeper pia mater.
• Surrounding the trabeculae is a large,
sponge-like cavity, the subarachnoid
space, filled with CSF.
• This space forms a hydraulic cushion that
protects the CNS from trauma.
• Both the surfaces of the arachnoid mater
are covered by continuous layer of flat
cells.
 ARACHNOID MATER (cont.)
• The connective tissue of the
arachnoid is said to be
avascular because it lacks
nutritive capillaries, but larger
blood vessels run through it.
• The arachnoid and the pia
mater are intimately
associated and are often
considered a single membrane
called the pia-arachnoid
(leptomeninges).

• Infection of leptomemninges is
called as meningitis
 ARACHNOID MATER (cont.)
• In some areas, the
arachnoid perforates the
dura mater and protrudes
into blood-filled venous
sinuses within the dura
mater. These CSF-filled
protrusions, which are
covered by vascular
endothelial cells, are called
arachnoid villi.
• Their function is to
transport CSF from the
subarachnoid space into
venous sinuses.
 PIA MATER
• Pia= delicate
• It is a thin layer of
connective tissue
• adherent to the surface of
nervous tissue
• Towards the
subarachnoid space, the
pia mater is lined by a
continuous layer of flat
cells that resembles the
mesothelial lining of the
body cavities.
Slide show meninges