NERVOUS SYSTEM

DR.KANCHAN SHARMA MD(AYU.)

ASSIT. PROFF.
DEPAT. OF RACHANA SHARIR
NACRC,VISNAGAR
Introduction
Neurology - Neuro + Logy
• Study of nervous system.
• The branch of medical science that deals with the normal functioning and
disorders of the nervous system is called neurology.
Importance-
Nervous system is the chief controlling and coordinating system of the body.
The sensory part of the nervous system collects information from the surroundings
and helps in gaining knowledge and experience, whereas the motor part is
responsible for responses of the body.
Histology of the Nervous Tissue-
The nervous tissue is composed of- 1. Neurons
2. Neuroglia
1. Neurons-
The neuron is the structural and functional unit of nervous system.
And forms the principal nervous tissue. It consists of following parts-
(1)Cell body
(2) Cell process- 1. Axon
2. Dendrites
C.N.S. consists grey matter and white matter.
Gray matter-Contains cell bodies of neurons.
White matter- Contains long processes of nerve cells.
(1)The majority being surrounded by myelin sheaths which give it the
white colour.
(2)Cell body- It consists of- 1. Nucleus 2. Cytoplasm
1. Nucleus- Single, central and spherical and contains a nucleolus .
2. Cytoplasm- This contains-Nissl's bodies.
Mitochondria.
Golgi apparatus.
(2) Cell process-
1.Axon
2.Dendrites

1. Axon- Each neuron has

only one axon which is
a long, slender, thread
like process and usually
arises from the cell
body at the axon hillock
but sometimes from the
base of the main
dendrite.
2.Dendrites- These are short process which are directly continuous
with the cytoplasm of the body.
Myelin sheath-
Most axons are surrounded by an insulating sheath of fatty myelin
derived from supporting cells, oligodendrocytes within C.N.S. and
schwann cells outside C.N.S.
Classification of neuron-
A . Structural classification-
1. Multipolar neurons- Usually have several dendrites and axon. Most in the
brain and spinal cord.
2. Bipolar neurons- Have one main dendrite and one axon. Found in the retina of
eye, inner ear, olfactory region.
3. Unipolar neurons- Have just one process extending from the cell
body and are always sensory neurons .Found in Mesencephalic nucleus of 5th
cranial nerve.
4. Pseudounipolar neurons –These neurons have only one process (axon) that
divide into two branches peripheral and central. the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs).
B . Functional /Physiological classification of neurons –
1.Sensory neurons
They carry impulses from the receptor organs to the CNS.
Types of Sensory Neurons. In relation to the general sensory pathways,
they are classified into three types:
1. Primary sensory neurons: The cell bodies of these neurons lie
outside the CNS.
2.Secondary sensory
neurons: The cell bodies
of these neurons lie in the
CNS.
3. Tertiary sensory
neurons: The cell bodies
of these neurons lie in the
thalamus.
Motor neurons
They transmit impulses from the CNS to the muscles and glands.
Types of Motor Neurons.
In the somatic nervous system they are divided into two types:
1. Upper motor neurons have their cell bodies located in the cerebral
hemisphere, viz. motor area of the cerebral cortex.
Upper motor neurons are involved in voluntary control of muscular activity.
2.Lower motor neurons have their cell bodies located in brain stem and spinal
cord.
In the autonomic nervous system also the motor neurons are divided
into two types:
1. Preganglionic neurons: The cell bodies of these neurons lie in the
brain and spinal cord.
2. Postganglionic neurons: The cell bodies of these neurons lie outside
the CNS in lateral, collateral and terminal autonomic ganglia.
3.Association neurons or inter
neurons-
All other neurons that are not
specifically sensory or motor neuron
are termed association neurons.
C . Classification Based on Length of Axon:
Based on length of axon, neurons are grouped as Golgi type I and type II
neurons.
1. Golgi type I neurons have long axons.
Example: Pyramidal cells of motor cortex in cerebrum,
2. Golgi type II neuron has short axons.
Example: Neurons of cerebral and cerebellar cortex.
NEUROGLIA
(1) Introduction-
The neuroglia are non-excitable cells and form the main supporting tissue of
nervous system.
Neuroglia- [Neuro- nerve, glia-glue) or glia fill about half of C.N.S. There name
derives from the notion of early microscopists that they were the 'glue' that held
nervous tissue together.
Neuroglia are generally smaller than neurons.
2.Types of neuroglia- Six types of neuroglia.
1. Astrocytes –Star shaped (largest neuroglia)
Two types :1.fibrous astrocytes- found in white matter of CNS.
2.Protoplasmic astrocyte : mostly found in gray matter.
2.Oligodendrocytes:-small ,rounded cells
Produce myeline in CNS .
Microglia:
• These are smallest neuroglial cells.
• These are involved in phagocytosis when They become active
(reactive microglial cells) .
• Microglia are derived from mesoderm (bone marrow).
• Microglia are phagocytic cells. They proliferate specifically in
nervous tissue injuries and diseases.
• Microglia removes bacteria, cancer (neoplastic) cells, and dead nerve
cells.
Ependymal Cells
The cavities of the nervous system are lined by epithelium like
ependymal cells.
Ependymal cells are cuboidal and arranged in single layer. Ependymal
cells are derived from to columnar in shape.
Exchange of substances between brain and cerebrospinal fluid at brain-
CSF barrier
Choroidal epithelial cell :Choroid plexus secretes CSF.
Tanycytes: Responds to glucose concentration changes.
The remaining two types of neuroglia or supporting cells are found in
the P.N.S.
1. Schwann cells or neurolemmocytes- Which produce myelin
sheath around P.N.S. neuron.
Schwan cells form neurolemma around all axons in PNS whether they
are unmyelinated or myelinated.
2. Satellite cells- Which support neuron in ganglia of the P.N.S.
Terms commonly used for describing nervous system
Terms Definition
Nerve fibre - Axon
Nerve - Bundle of nerve fibres outside the CNS
Tract - Bundle of nerve fibres inside the CNS
Ganglion - Collection of nerve cell bodies outside the CNS
Nucleus- Collection of nerve cell bodies inside the CNS
Sensory neuron- Neuron that transmits impulses from a sensory receptor to the CNS
Motor neuron- Neuron that transmits impulses from the CNS to the effector organ, e.g.
muscle
• Somatic motor nerve- Nerve that stimulates contraction of skeletal
muscles.
• Autonomic motor nerve- Nerve that stimulates contraction/inhibition of
smooth and cardiac. muscles, and that stimulates secretion of glands.
• Nerve plexus -Network of intercalated nerves.
Differences between axons and dendrites

Axons Dendrites

Single long process Multiple short processes

Nissl granules absent Nissl granules present

Impulses travel away from the Impulses travel towards the nerve
nerve body cell body
SYNAPSE
• The neurons form long chains along which the impulses are conducted. The
point at which the nerve impulse passes from one neuron to another is
called synapse.
• At synapse, the contact between the neurons is by contiguity and not by
continuity and the impulse is transmitted across a synapse by a specific neuro
transmitter.
• The synaptic communication is the process by which neurons communicate
among themselves and with the muscles and glands.
Classification of Synapses
Depending upon the parts of two neurons forming a synapse, the synapses are of the following
types:
1. Axodendritic: synapse between an axon and a dendrite.
2. Axosomatic: synapse between an axon and a soma.
3. Axoaxonal: synapse between two axons.
4. Somatodendritic: synapse between a soma and a dendrite.
5. Somatosomatic: synapse between two somas.
6. Dendrodendritic: synapse between two dendrites.

The most common synapse is between an axon of one neuron and the soma or dendrite of
another neuron (i.e. axosomatic or axodendritic). The axodendritic synapse is generally
termed typical synapse.
Properties of Synapse:
• The nerve impulse passes only in one direction, i.e. passage of impulse is
unidirectional
• The passage of nerve impulse is slightly delayed at the synapse.
• The synapse is susceptible to fatigue.
• Certain substances released in the CNS can inhibit or facilitate the release of
neurotransmitter by presynaptic inhibition or facilitation.
• The mechanism of transmission of nerve impulse at synapse is susceptible
to certain drugs/chemical agents.
 Clinical aspect
• 1.The neurons of female individuals are characterized by the presence of a small
stainable body of chromatin (Barr body) on the inner surface of the nuclear
membrane.

• It represents one of the two X-chromosomes present in the female.

• It is not seen in neurons of male as they contain only one X-chromosome. Thus,
the presence or absence of the Barr body enables the histopathologists to
determine the sex of an individual from whom the tissue has been taken .
• 2.The rabies is a fatal viral disease of the central nervous system.
• The virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected wild or domestic animal like
dog.
• The virus is present in the saliva of the infected animal and following a bite, it
travels to the CNS by way of axonal transport in nerves.
• The incubation period (e. period between the time of bite and appearance of
symptoms) is related to the length of the peripheral nerves.
• The longer the nerve, the longer is the duration of the incubation period.
3.The synaptic transmission is affected by various drugs. The caffeine present
in the coffee and tea increases the rate of transmission at synapse with
subsequent stimulatory effect on the central nervous system.
The people involved in skilled activities are very fond of taking tea or coffee.