Histo Lab: Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Looking at cerebrum, what do you see

A

Two distinct areas, the grey matter and the white matter (grey matter is on the periphery and white matter is in the inside).

They grey matter is further divided into subcortical layers.

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2
Q

What kind of cells do we see here in the grey matter.

How are these cells arranged?

A

We see pyramidal cells that are triangular shaped and larger (also they have some hollow space around them). These cells are arranged in a specific manner such that the apex of the cells (the open mouth) faces the inside of the grey matter whereas the pointed end is towards the outside. The branches we see are the dendrites.

Together with these cells we also see supportive neuroglia cells that are smaller and have a darker staining nucleus. These are more in number.

This was in the H&E dye.

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3
Q

Thionin stain

A

The grey matter and the white matter are clearly visible. They grey matter is more dense or the cells have larger nuclei.

Also the position of the pyramidal cells is more obvious.

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4
Q

What is the identifying cell of the cerebrum

A

Pyramidal cell

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5
Q

What are the 3 layers of the grey matter, how are they situated

A

Molecules, purkinje and granular, from out to in

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6
Q

Where is the grey and white matter in the cerebellum

A

They grey matter is peripheral, white is inside, know where they are

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7
Q

What does the molecular layer consist of

A

Basket and stellate cells

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8
Q

How do you identify the purkinje layer

A

It is one cell thick, has pukinje cells which are multipolar, dark staining and larger than other cells and appear to be like the palmof the hand with the fingers representing the dendrites.

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9
Q

How do you identify the granular layer

A

Made of small neurons called the granule cells

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10
Q

Thionin stain for cerebellum

A

Purkinje are more obvious, it sys you can see their nucleolus inside their deep staining nucleus.

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11
Q

What is the differentiating feature of cerebellum

A

Purkinje cells

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12
Q

Spinal cord layers

A

White matter is in the outside, grey matter is in

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13
Q

How do you see the white matter of the spine

A

These are myelinated fibers, cut in cross section so you can only see them as a dot. These are surrounded by empty space which was occupied by the myelin sheath.

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14
Q

Grey matter of the spinal cord

A

It is divided into dorsal and ventral horns, know where these are. Dorsal horns were the smaller ones and ventral were larger ones facing down.

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15
Q

What kind of cells does grey matter has

A

Multipolar nerve cell bodies of motoneurons, also called ventral horn cells. They are stellate shaped, has a sperical nuclei, scanty chromatin and they have a single nucleus.

Glia cells are also visible, although more obvious in the thionin stain, these cells are smaller

Other cells that we can see are the ependymal cells. They line the central canal where CSF resides.

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16
Q

Spinal cord in thionin stain

A

The dendrites have darkly staining features due to the presence of ER called the Nissle substance, the staining is diffused.

This staining pattern allows us to distinguish the axons from dendrites.

17
Q

What is the main identifier of the spinal cord

A

The diffusing pattern of the Nissle substance.

18
Q

What are the 3 layers of CNS

A

These are connective tissues:

  1. Dura mater
  2. Archnoid
  3. Pia Mater, from outside in.

Know that because of disection and preperation these layers are not always visible

19
Q

How is vascularization in these layers

A

Pia mater is most extensively vacularized. Know where the sub hematoma is within these layers, it is present on the empty spaces.

20
Q

What is a ganglion

A

Group of nerve cells located outside of the CNS, assciated with the sensory or autonomic nervous system

21
Q

How do these ganglions look like

A

Their cross sectional cut has a wagon wheel like appearence whereas longitudinal is more of a classic cell type

22
Q

What are glia cells (or astrocytes)

How can you identify them

A

They are supporting cells, present in different forms based on their location, appearence and fucntion. They are usually small and can only be seen by their nuclei. They are the ones that induce the endothelium to form blood-brain barriers.

They can be seen by their characteristic star like appearance.

23
Q

Functions of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells and microglia

A

Astrocytes: Detoxifies the brain, blood-brain barrier
Oligodendrocytes: Myelinates in CNS
Microglia: macrophages of the CNS
Schwann cells: Analogous to oligodendrocytes in PNS

24
Q

How do you differentiate between the molecular layer and the white matter in cerebellum

A

Molecular layer is surrounded by pia mater

25
Q

What stains in the purkinje cells

A

NUCLEOLUS!

Not the nucleus

26
Q

Where is the wagon wheel like appearence

A

Dorsal root ganglion, when they are cut in cross sections

27
Q

What glia cells are star shaped

A

Only astrocytes