Histology
lab 9
Nervous Tissue
The Nervous System
The nervous system enables the body to respond
to changes in its external environment and
controls functions of internal organs and systems.
Nervous System Divisions
• Anatomically, the nervous system is divided into the central
nervous system (CNS; brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral
nervous system (PNS; peripheral and cranial nerves (12) and
ganglia).
• Functionally, the nervous system is divided into the somatic
nervous system (SNS; under conscious voluntary control) and
the autonomic nervous system (ANS; under involuntary
control)( sympathetic – Fight or flight or fright)
(parasympathetic rest an repair). And enteric n.s.
Functional Classes of Neurons
Sensory (afferent) neurons – afferent neurons are
specialized to detect stimuli and transmit the information
to CNS. They begin in any organ in the body, but end in
the brain or spinal cord.
Interneurons (association neurons): lie entirely in the
CNS. They receive signals from many different neurons
and perform an integrative function “decision making” to
respond to the different stimuli.
Motor (efferent) neurons – efferent neurons transmit the
appropriate response from the interneuron to an end
organ (muscle and gland cells) to carry out the body’s
response to the stimuli.
Association of Neurons
The two principal cell types of the
nervous system are:
– Neurons – excitable cells that transmit
electrical signals
– Neuroglia: Supporting cells, cells that
surround and wrap neurons
A typical neuron consist of the following
• The cell body contain the nucleus and other cell
organelles.
• Nissl bodies (clusters of rough endoplasmic
reticulum), sites of protein synthesis.
• The dendrites is typically short, branched and
slender process or extension of the cell body that
receives stimuli.
• The axon is typically long(1.5m), slender process
of the cell body that sends nerve impulses.
Neurons are structurally classified into 3 groups:
1. Multipolar neurons have one axon and several to
numerous dendrites, most neurons are of this type.
2. Bipolar neurons have one axon and one dendrite. It
found only as specialized sensory neurons in the
eye, ear and olfactory organs.
3. Unipolar neurons have one process of emerging
from the cell body that branches into two process.
Both process function together as a single axon. It is
mostly sensory organs.
Peripheral Nerve
• The bulk of a peripheral nerve consists of nerve
fibers and their supporting Schwann cells.
• The individual nerve fibers and their associated
Schwann cells are held together by connective
tissue organized into three distinctive components:
1. Endoneurium : CT Surrounding Nerve Fiber
2. Perineurium :CT Surrounding Nerve Fascicles
3. Epineurium: CT Surrounding Peripheral Nerve and
fill space between Nerve Fascicles
Peripheral Nerve
Structure of a peripheral Nerve
c. s. of peripheral nerve
epineurium
Perineurium
Endoneurium
Types of Neuroglia
Cells Function
In CNS
Astrocyte provide physical and metabolic support for neurons of the
CNS, helps in Formation of Blood-brain-Barrier
Ependymal Cell form the epithelial-like lining of the ventricles of the brain
and spinal canal, Aid production and movement of
CSF
Oligodentric cell produce and maintain the myelin sheath in the CNS
Microglial Cell possess phagocytotic properties
In PNS
Satellite cell form an intimate covering layer over the large neuronal
cell bodies in the ganglia of the PNS exert a trophic or
supportive effect on these neurons, insulating, nourishing,
and regulating their microenvironments
Schwann Cell Produce the myelin sheath from compacted layers of their
own cell membranes that are wrapped concentrically
around the nerve cell process.
Neuroglial Cells of CNS
Myelinated nerve
Brain
Cerebrum
Brain
Cerebrum (Cerebral Cortex)
Includes 4 Lobes:
Temporal Lobe, Occipital Lobe, Parietal Lobe, Frontal Lobe
Parts to Identify: (starting from the top of the brain
going towards the middle)
Pia Mater (one of 3 Protective CT Layer resting on
the Brain)
1. Molecular Layer
2. Outer Granular Layer
3. Outer Pyramidal Layer
4. Inner Granular Layer
5. Inner Pyramidal Layer
6. Polymorphic Layer
Cerebellum(little brain)
Function: It is mainly associated with regulation
and coordination of movement, posture and
balance.
The cortex composed of three layers:
1- granule layer
2- purkinji cells layer
3- molecular layer
Cerebellum or Cerebellar Cortex
Purkinje Cells of the Cerebellum
Spinal cord
