NERVOUS TISSUE

By
Dr. YASIR HAYAT.
 NERVE TISSUE
All animal cells have the ability to detect and react to
stimuli (irritability) but this capacity is especially
well-developed in nerve cells.
Multicellular animals have cells specialized for
detecting stimuli (sensory cells) and cells
specialized for transmitting information (neurons).
Nervous tissue is composed of neurons, which
transmit and process information, and glial cells,
which have a variety of poorly understood functions
other than transmission of information.
Glial cells function in support in one way or
another.some glial cells act as insulation (schwann
cells),some store glycogen.
The nervous system is originally
epidermal but moves deeper
into the body so it can occupy a
regulated compartement.
 Neuron.
Neuron is the structural and functional
unit of nervous tissue. There are several
types of neurons but the two major types
are motor and sensory. sensory neurons
extend from sensory receptor to the
brain. Motor neurons extend from the
brain to an effector such as a muscle.
 NEUROGLIA
Neurolgia cells (glia-glue) are packed around
neurons and have a variety of functions. Most of
the cells of nervous system are glial cells with
unknown functions. Astrocytes are glial cells that
store glycogen. Outside the CNS there are
special glial cells (SCHWANN CELLS) that
insulate axons. They form a thick fatty layer
around the axon known as the myelinated
sheath. Inside the CNS insulating cells are
known as oligodendrites. Nerve transmission
along myelinated axons is faster than along
nonmyelinated axons.
 Schwann cells are the supporting
cells of the PNS. Like
oligodendrocytes schwann cells
wrap themselves around nerve
axons, but the difference is that a
single schwann cell makes up a
single segment of an axon's myelin
sheath. Oligodendrocytes on the
other hand, wrap themselves
around numerous axons at once.
 In addition to creating the
myelin sheaths of PNS axons,
Schwann cells also aid in
cleaning up PNS debris and
guide the regrowth of PNS
axons.
 The central nervous system consists of neurons
and glial cells. Neurons constitute about half the
volume of the CNS and glial cells make up the
rest. Glial cells provide support and protection for
neurons. They are thus known as the "supporting
cells" of the nervous system. The four main
functions of glial cells are: to surround neurons
and hold them in place, to supply nutrients and
oxygen to neurons, to insulate one neuron from
another, and to destroy and remove the carcasses
of dead neurons (clean up). The three types of
CNS supporting cells are Astrocytes,
Oligodendrocytes, and Microglia. The supporting
cells of the PNS are known as Schwann Cells.
 Astrocytes are star shaped glial cells that perform
a variety of functions in the CNS. Astrocytes
provide physical support to neurons and clean up
debris within the brain. They also provide neurons
with some of the chemicals needed for proper
functioning and help control the chemical
composition of fluid surrounding neurons. Finally,
astrocytes play a role in providing nourishment to
neurons. Astrocytes also perform a process known
as phagocytosis. Phagocytosis occurs when an
astrocyte contacts a piece of neural debris with its
processes (arm of the astrocyte) and then pushes
itself against the debris eventually engulfing and
digesting it.
 OLIGODENDROCYTES.
The principle function of
oligodendrocytes is to provide
support to axons and to
produce the Myelin sheath,
which insulates axons. Myelin is
80% lipid and 20% protein.
 Microglia are the smallest of the
glial cells. Some act as phagocytes
cleaning up CNS debris. Most serve
as representatives of the immune
system in the brain. Microglia
protect the brain from invading
microorganisms and are thought to
be similar in nature to microphages
in the blood system.