NERVOUS

TISSUE
I
DR\HEBA ABD ALRAZAK
Lecturer of Histology October 6
university
Objective
1.Describe the different classifications of neurons.
2.Discuss the histological structure of the neuron.
3.Compare between the dendrites & the axon at
the structural & functional levels.
4.Differentiate between spinal & sympathetic
ganglia.
5.Discuss histological structure of synapses
6.Describe histological structure & functions of
neuroglial cells.
 NERVOUS TISSUE

Nerve cells (neurons) Glial cells

Cell body
Neurons

(Perikaryon)

Dendrites(multiple
processes)
Axon (single process.)
 Structure: Cell body (Perikaryon)
It is part of neuron containing nucleus and surrounding cytoplasm.
*Size: varies from 4 um as in granular cells in cerebellar cortex to
100um as in motor neurons

*Shape: depends on number of cell processes;

unipolar have globular shape.
Bipolar have fusiform shape.
Multipolar are stellate, pyramidal or pyriform.

Nucleus: large spherical, euchromatic with a prominent nucleolus

(active cell)
The cytoplasm:
1.It contains highly developed REr & numerous
polyribosomes appears under L.M as
basophilic granular areas called Nissl bodies.
varies according to neuronal function.
2.Golgi complex present around nucleus.
3.Mitochondria are scattered
throughout the cytoplasm.
4. Neurofilaments (intermediate filaments
with a diameter of 10nm) are abundant in Perikaryon &
processes. visible by L.M (stained brown by Ag).
5. Microtubules
6. Centrioles cannot be seen as neurons cannot divide.
7. Inclusions in form of ;
►Lipofuscin pigment is golden brown.It is a residue of
undigested material by lysosomes. increases with aging.
►Melanin pigment dark brown or black is
found in neurons of
substantia nigra of mid brain.
►Lipid droplets in cytoplasm represent
energy reserve or products of
abnormal metabolism.
 Processes
Both dendrites & axon have mitochondria, neurofibrils & microtubules
Dendrites Axon
1. Usually numerous 1. Single
2. Short. 2. Long
3. Thick. 3. Thin.
4. Branching like a tree. Branches arise at acute angle 4. Not branching except at the end.
arise at right angle
5. Become thinner as they subdivide into branches. 5. has aconstant diameter.
6. contain Nissl granules. 6. Does not Contain Nissl bodies.
7.Covered by spine like processes called dendritic spines 7.No spines
that for synaptic contacts
f
r 8. Carries nerve impulses to the cell body. 8.Carry nerve impulses away the cell
o
m
body.
 Classification of neurons:
A-They are classified according to number of processes
into:
1. Unipolar : have a single process that is close to the Perikaryon and
divides into 2 branches to form a T shape, It is found in the spinal
ganglia and mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal nerve.

2.Bipolar: have(1)dendrite &(1)axon.-in cochlear & vestibular G.

in ear, retina in eye & olfactory in nose .

3. Multipolar: have one axon and many dendrites.

They take different forms:
► Stellate anterior horn cells in spinal cord.
► Pyramidal  pyramidal cells in cerebral cortex.
► Pyriform as purkinje cells in cerebellar cortex.
Classification of neurons:
B- According to function:
1. Sensory (afferent) neurons
receive sensory stimuli as cells of
dorsal root ganglion.
2.Motor (efferent) neurons control
effector organs such as Muscle.&
glands
3.Interneurons connect nuerons as
in retina and spinal cord.
 Classification of neurons:
C- According to length of axon:
1.Golgi type I: neurons have long axon that
leaves grey matter & enters white matter as
motor neurons in spinal cord, pyramidal cells
in cerebral cortex and purkinje cells in cerebellar
cortex.
2.Golgi type II:neurons have short axon that
does'nt leave grey matter as interneuron in
cerebral & cerebellar .
 Length of Axon
Golgi
Type I
(pyramidal cells of cerebral cortex)
Golgi Type II
(granular cells of cerebellum)

sensory neuron

receptor Function
Interneuron
motor neuron

effector
 Nerve fiber
►A nerve fibre consists of
an axon.
►The axon is covered by
axolemma and contains
cytoplasm called axoplasm.
►It arises from a conical
extension of the cell body
called axon hillock.
Types of nerve fibres:
1. Unmyelinated nerve fibres: have no
myelin sheath. It is subdivided into:
• Unmyelinated fibres without sheath of Schwann cells
(neurolemma) -as in gray matter (Naked).
• Unmyelinated nerve fibres with sheath of Schwann cells as in
sympathetic post ganglionic fibres.
2. Myelinated nerve fibres:
have myelin sheath. It is subdivided into:
• Myelinated nerve fibres without sheath of Schwann cells as
in white matter.
• Myelinated nerve fibres with sheath of Schwann cells as in
peripheral nerve fibres.
The sheath of Schwann
• It consists of flattened cells
with flattened nuclei that form a
thin chain around myelin of a
nerve fiber.
• Functions:
1.Formation of myelin sheath in
the peripheral nerves .
2.Electric insulation.
3.Regeneration where axon
grows from the proximal stump
along the path formed by
Schwann cells.
 Myelin Sheath:
• •Functions: Speed up the speed of nerve impulse.
Stages of myelination (formation of myelin sheath):
 Peripheral Nervous System
It consists of Nerves, ganglia and nerve endings.
Peripheral Nerve
Epineurium
The nerve is covered by dense connective tissue
perineurium
The nerve fibers are arranged in the form of
bundles .
Endoneurium
Inside the bundle the nerve fibres are connected
by (sheath of Henle). It consists of reticular fibres
formed by Schwann cells.
 Ganglia
They are collection of nerve
cells outside the central
nervous system.
They are of 2 types;
sensory (spinal) &
autonomic (sympathetic
and parasympathetic).
 Spinal Ganglion
1)Covered by a thick C.T. Capsule.
2) Contains no synapses
3) Contains unipolar neurons
4) Nerve cells are small, medium-
sized or large(15-100 um).
5) Nerve cells are rounded
Sympathetic Ganglion
1) Covered by a thin C.T. capsule
2) Contains synapses
3)Contains multipolar stellate neurons
4) Nerve cells show a uniform size
(25 um).
5) Nerve cells are stellate
 Spinal Ganglion
6) Nerve cells are arranged in group
of rows, separated by nerve and C.T
7) Nerve cells are capsulated by the
satellite cells
8) Nerve fibres may become
convoluted forming glomeruli.
9) Nerve fibres are myelinated
10) Poor blood supply
Sympathetic Ganglion
6) Nerve cells are scattered.
7) Satellite cells are only found in
large ganglia.
8) No glomeruli are formed by the
nerve fibres.
9) non myelinated
10) Rich blood supply.
Divisions of the central
nervous system:
1. Brain: it is composed of 3
subdivisions;
► Cerebrum.
►Cerebellum.
►Diencephalon(thalamus,
hypothalamus, subthalamus and
epithalamus),
►Brain stem: formed of Mid brain, Pons
and Medulla.
2. Spinal cord: