Classification of

Nerve Fibers
Nerve Fiber

Any of the threadlike extensions (as axons or

dendrites) of a nerve cell that carry nerve impulses is
called as nerve fiber.

General Function:

• Nerve fibers enable neurons to connect with one

another.
• They help to send signals to and from the brain.
Difference btw nerve fiber & nerve

A nerve fiber is one axon from a single nerve cell.

A nerve is a bundle of anywhere from half a dozen to

more than a million nerve fibers, all wrapped up in layers
of connective tissue permeated by blood vessels for the
nerve's nourishment and waste removal.
Classification

Nerve fibers are classified by six different methods. The basis of classification differs
in each method.

Different methods of classification are listed:

1. Depending upon structure

2. Depending upon distribution
3. Depending upon origin
4. Depending upon function
5. Depending upon secretion of neurotransmitter
6. Depending upon diameter and conduction of impulse
(Erlanger Gasser classification)
 1. DEPENDING UPON STRUCTURE
Based on structure, nerve fibers are classified into two types:

i. Myelinated Nerve Fibers

Myelinated nerve fibers are the nerve fibers that are covered by
myelin sheath.

Myelinated nerve fibers occur in the white matter of the brain,

spinal cord and in the central and cranial nervous system.

ii. Non-myelinated Nerve Fibers

Nonmyelinated nerve fibers are the nerve fibers which are not
covered by myelin sheath

Unmyelinated nerve fibers occur in the autonomic nervous

system(Peripheral nervous system).
 Myelin Sheath

Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath

that forms around nerves, including
those in the brain and spinal cord.

It is made up of protein and fatty

substances.

This myelin sheath allows electrical

impulses to transmit quickly and
efficiently along the nerve cells.
 2. DEPENDING UPON DISTRIBUTION
Nerve fibers are classified into two types, on the basis of distribution:

i. Somatic Nerve Fibers:

Somatic nerve fibers supply the skeletal muscles of the body.

Somatic fibers innervate skin, muscle, joints, and body walls.

ii. Visceral or Autonomic Nerve Fibers:

Autonomic nerve fibers supply the various internal organs of

the body.
Visceral fibers innervate the blood vessels and internal organs.
 3. DEPENDING UPON ORIGIN

On the basis of origin, nerve fibers are divided into two types:

i. Cranial Nerve Fibers

Nerve fibers arising from brain are called cranial nerve fibers.

The functions of the cranial nerves are sensory, motor, or both: Sensory cranial nerves help a
person to see, smell, and hear. Motor cranial nerves help control muscle movements in the
head and neck.

A set of 12 peripheral nerves(cranial nerves) emerging from the brain that innervate the
structures of the head, neck, thorax and abdomen.
Mneumonic for 12 cranial nerves

One Of Our Trained Teachers Asked For A Good Vermicelli And Halwa

O: olfactory nerve (CN I)

O: optic nerve (CN II)
O: oculomotor nerve (CN III)
T: trochlear nerve (CN IV)
T: trigeminal nerve(CN V)
A: abducens nerve (CN VI)
F: facial nerve (CN VII)
A: auditory (or vestibulocochlear) nerve (CN VIII)
G: glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
V: vagus nerve (CN X)
A: accessory nerve (CN XI)
H: hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
ii. Spinal Nerve Fibers​
Nerve fibers arising from spinal cord are called spinal nerve fibers​

The spinal nerves receive sensory messages from tiny nerves located in
areas such as the skin, internal organs, and bones. The spinal nerves send
sensory messages to the sensory roots, then to sensory fibers in the
posterior (back or dorsal) part of the spinal cord.​

In humans there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5

lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal. Each pair connects the spinal cord with
a specific region of the body.
Cranial Nerves spinal ne

Cranial Nerves
 4. DEPENDING UPON FUNCTION
Functionally, nerve fibers are classified into two types:

i. Sensory Nerve Fibers

Sensory nerve fibers carry sensory impulses from different parts of the body
to the central nervous system. These nerve fibers are also known as afferent
nerve fibers.

Carry impulses from sensory receptors towards the brain.

ii. Motor Nerve Fibers

Motor nerve fibers carry motor impulses from central nervous system to
different parts of the body. These nerve fibers are also called efferent
nerve fibers.

Carry impulses away from the brain to muscles and glands.

5. DEPENDING UPON SECRETION OF NEUROTRANSMITTER
Depending upon the neurotransmitter substance secreted, nerve fibers are divided into two types:

i. Adrenergic Nerve Fibers

Adrenergic nerve fibers secrete noradrenaline(norepinephrine).

Adrenergic is called the sympathetic line (SNS)

ii. Cholinergic Nerve Fibers

Cholinergic nerve fibers secrete acetylcholine.

Cholinergic is called the parasympathetic line (PNS).

6. DEPENDING UPON DIAMETER AND CONDUCTION OF IMPULSE
(ERLANGER-GASSER CLASSIFICATION)
Erlanger and Gasser classified the nerve fibers into three major types, on the basis of diameter (thickness) of
the fibers and velocity of conduction of impulses:

i. Type A nerve fibers

Group A are heavily myelinated

ii. Type B nerve fibers

Group B are moderately myelinated

iii. Type C nerve fibers

Group C are unmyelinated
Velocity of Impulse

Velocity of impulse through a nerve fiber is directly

proportional to the thickness of the fiber.
Type A nerve fibers are divided into four types:

a. Type A alpha or Type I nerve fibers

A-alpha nerve fibers carry information related to
proprioception (muscle sense).

b. Type A beta or Type II nerve fibers

A-beta nerve fibers carry information related to touch.

c. Type A gamma nerve fibers

A-gamma fibers are typically motor neurons that control the intrinsic activation
of the muscle spindle. (The muscle spindle is a small spindle-shaped sensory organ that senses
the changes in the length of the muscle and the rate of lengthening)

d. Type A delta or Type III nerve fibers.

A-delta nerve fibers carry information related to
pain and temperature.