NERVOUS TISSUE

Nervous tissue is the tissue specialized to receive external & internal stimuli, integrating and analysing it and
producing a proper response. It consists of two cell types: Nerve cells (neurons) & glial cells (neuroglia cells).

The sensory component of the peripheral nervous system Reception of stimuli

(PNS)
The central nervous system (CNS) Integration & analysis and response
The motor component of the PNS Transmission of the response to the effector
organ

NEURONS

Definition: structural & functional unit of nervous system (more than 100 million cells).

Histological Structure: Most of neurons consist of 2 parts

A- Cell body (Perikaryon): It is the part of the neuron receive stimuli, contains Nucleus & Cytoplasm.
Size: varies from 4 µm as in granular cells in cerebellar cortex.
100 µm as in motor neurons in spinal cord.
Shape: depends on the number of cell processes
Unipolar Have globular shape
Bipolar Have fusiform shape
Multipolar Have stellate, pyramidal and pyriform shape.
The Nucleus: large spherical, euchromatic with prominent nucleolus (synthetic activity)
The cytoplasm:
organell 1-well developed rough 2- Golgi 3-Mitochondria 4-Neurofilaments 5-Microtubules 6-
endoplasmic reticulum & complex (intermediate (20-28 nm in Centrioles
numerous filaments with a diameter)
polyribosomes & free diameter of 10nm)
ribosomes
Site: Perikaryon & dendrites. Present around Are scattered Abundant in perikaryon & Arranged in parallel Are not seen
the nucleus. throughout the processes. bundles in as neurons
cytoplasm & Perikaryon & cannot divide.
processes. processes.

L/M: Appear as basophilic granular They bundle together as a

areas called Nissl bodies. result of the action of
fixatives to form neurofibrils
(2 µm in diameter) that are
visible by the L/M (stained
brown by Ag).

Functions Form both structural proteins & They provide structural Involved in axonal
proteins for transport. Their support. transport of
number varies according to neurotransmitter,
neuronal type &function. enzymes & other
cellular component
 7-Inclusions in the form of:
- Lipofuscin pigment which is golden brown. It is an undigested material by Iysosomes. Its amount increases with aging.
- Melanin pigment which is dark brown or black is found in neurons of the substantia nigra of the mid brain.
- Lipid droplets represent energy reserve or products of abnormal metabolism.

B- The processes:
Dendrites Axon
Are multiple processes that receive stimuli from the Single process that transport information away from the cell bo
environment or other neurons and carry it to the cell body to other neurons or effector cells as the muscle cell
1. Usually numerous. 1. Single originates from axon hillock.
2. short 2. Long.
3. thick 3. Thin.
4. Not branching except at the end. It may give collateral branches
4. Branching like a tree. Branches arise at acute angle. near the cell body that arise at right angle.

5. Become thinner as they subdivide into branches. 5. Has a constant diameter.

6. Contain Nissl bodies 6.Does not contain Nissl granules

Both the dendrites and axon have mitochondria, neurofibrils and microtubules.

Classification of neurons:
 A. According to number of process

1-Unipolar: have a single process that is close to the perikaryon and divides into -It is found in the spinal ganglia & mesencephalic
2 branches to form a T shape one branch act as a dendrite (peripheral nucleus of trigeminal nerve.
ending) but its structure is similar to the axon. The other act as an
axon (towards the central nervous system). -The stimuli travel directly
from the dendrites to the axon without passing through the perikaryon.
2- Bipolar: have one dendrite & one axon. present in cochlear & vestibular ganglia in ear.
retina in eye. Olfactory mucosa in nose.
3- have one axon & many dendrites. They take different forms: stellate as the anterior
Multipolar: horn cells in spinal cord
pyramidal as pyramidal cells in cerebral cortex
pyriform as purkinje cells in cerebellar cortex
B-According to function:
1-Sensory(afferent) neurons receive sensory stimuli. as cells of dorsal root ganglion.
2-Motor (efferent) neurons control effector organs (muscles & glands). as anterior horn cells in spinal cord.
3-Interneurons connect neurons as in retina and spinal cord.
C-According to length of axon:
1-Golgi type 1: neurons have long axon The axon leaves the grey matter and enters white matter as motor neurons in
spinal cord, pyramidal cells in cerebral cortex and purkinje cells in cerebellar
cortex
2-Golgi type 2: neurons have short axon The axon does not leave the grey matter. as interneurons in cerebral &
cerebellar cortex.
Synapse
It is the site of functional contact between neurons or between neurons and effector cells as muscle & glands. Its
function is to transmit impulse from presynaptic cell to post synaptic cell.
Classification:
According to method of transmission of nerve impulse:
Chemical Electrical
Most common Demonstrated in cerebellum
Conduction of impulses takes place by release of Contains gap junctions that allow movement of ions
neurotransmitters between cells (spread of electric current)
According to the site of contact of the axon:
Axosomatic Axodendritic Axoaxonic
axon forms synapse with cell body. axon forms synapse with a axon forms synapse with an axon.
dendrite.
Histologically: The chemical synapse is formed of:
Presynaptic Synaptic cleft Postsynaptic
(Axon terminal) side (Intercellular space) (Surface of the other cell) side
rich in mitochondria 20-30 nm in width. has receptors for the chemical transmitter.
vesicles of chemical transmitter
It shows separate zones of dense It shows delicate fibers or It shows a continuous zone of dense
cytoplasm that represent the active areas granules. cytoplasm which is associated with a
where the synaptic vesicles are docked network of filaments called synaptic web.
(immobilized) & neurotransmitter are This dense area is formed by interlinked
released. proteins that fix neurotransmitter receptor
interaction into an intercellular signal.
Nerve fiber & covering
A nerve fiber consists of an axon. The axon is covered by axolemma and contains axoplasm (cytoplasm). It
arises from a conical extension of the cell body called axon hillock.
Types of nerve fibers:
1-Unmyelinated nerve fibers 2-Myelinated nerve fibers
Have no myelin sheath. It is subdivided into Have myelin sheath. It is subdivided into;
Unmyelinated nerve fibers Unmyelinated nerve fibers Myelinated nerve fibers Myelinated nerve fibers
without sheath of with sheath of Schwann without sheath of with sheath of Schwann
Schwann cells as in grey cells as in sympathetic Schwann cells as in white cells as in peripheral
matter (naked postganglionic fibers. matter nerve fibers

The sheath of Schwann (Neurolemma sheath):

It consists of flat cells with flat nuclei that form a thin layer around the 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.