Histology - Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q
A
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2
Q

Nueroglial cells

Aka glia

A

Non-conducting cells located close to neurons

CNS central neuroglia - oligodendrocytes, microglia, astrocytes, and ependymal cells

PNS peripheral nuerolgia - Schwann cells and satellite cells

Fx - providing physical support and protection for neurons

Insulating nerve cell bodies and processes (myelin)

Reparising neuoranal injury

Regulating the internal fluid environment of the CNS

Clearing neurotransmitters from synaptic clefts

Facilitating metabolic exchange between the vascular system and neurons

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3
Q

Nissl bodies

A

Rough ER and polyribosomes - appear as clumps of basophilic material

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4
Q

Neuronal type of dorsal root ganglia

A

Pseudo-unipolar neurons

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5
Q

Neuronal cell type of the retina

A

Bipolar neurons

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6
Q

Purkinje and pyramidal cells

A

Found within the CNS

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7
Q

Afferent processes of neurons

A

Dendrites - they receive information from other neurons or from the environment

Dendrites are generally unmyelinated

Lack golgi but otherwise organelle profile similar to that of the cell body

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8
Q

Dendritic spines

A

Increase surface area and are the sites of synapses

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9
Q

Efferent processes of neurons

A

Axons - initial segment located below or distal to the axon hillock (where action potentials are generated)

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10
Q

Recurrent axonal branching

A

Near the cell body

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11
Q

Collateral axonal branching

A

Near the target

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12
Q

Organelle profile of axons

A

Arrays of microtubules and neurofilaments

Mitochondria

Vesicles

Derivatives of smooth ER

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13
Q

Direction of axonal transport

A

Biderectional

Anterograde - via kinesin motors - moves organelles and secretory vesicles along microtubules

Retrograde - moving endosomes via dynein motors

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14
Q

Types of synapses

A

Axosomatic

Axodendritic

Axoaxonic

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15
Q

Most common form of synapse in humans

A

Chemical synapses

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16
Q

Excitatory synapses

A

Allow Na+ to enter postsynaptic cells, dpolarizing the membrane and causing an action potential

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17
Q

Inhibitory synapses

A

Allow Cl- to enter postsynaptic cells, hyperpolarizing the membrane and making acxtion potentials less likely

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18
Q

Astrocytes

A

Provide physical and metabolic support for neurons and form the blood-brain barrier.

Fibrous astrocytes are found in white matter, while protoplasmic astrocytes are found in gray matter

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19
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Produce myelin and myelinate CNS axons

20
Q

Microglia

A

Resident macrophages in the CNS, derived from monocytes

Note the elongated nuclei of microglia

21
Q

Ependymal cells

A

Line the ventricles in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. These columnar, epithelial-like cells absorb cerebrospinal fluid. In the choroid plexus, ependymal cells are modified to secrete CSF.

22
Q

Satellite cells

A

Provide physical and metabolic support for cell bodies in ganglia

23
Q

Schwann cells

A

Myelinate axons and support both myelinated and unmyelinated axons in the PNS

24
Q

Protoplasmic astrocytes

A

Gray matter - form BBB

25
Q

Fibrous astrocytes

A

White matter - processes are longer and thinner than protoplasmic astrocytes - also contribute to the BBB

26
Q

What accounts for ~80% of primary brain tumors?

A

Tumors originating from fibrous astrocytes

27
Q

What embryonic cell population are Schwann cells derived from?

A

Neural crest cells

28
Q

What type of cells do Schwann cells support?

A

Both myelinated and unmyelinated cells of the PNS

29
Q

Difference between myelination of axons by oligodendrocytes in CNS and Schwann cells in PNS?

A

Schwann cells only myelinate portions of one axon whereas oligodendrocytes may myelinate segments of more than one axon

30
Q
A

Arrow - node of Ranvier (where two Schwann cells meet - unmyelinated portion of axon)

Circle - Schmidt-Lanterman clefts appear as pink arrow heads with the white bubbles of myelin - remaining cytoplasm of Schwann cells - likely play a role in nourishment of the myelinated axons

31
Q

Guillain-Barre syndrome

A

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Large accumulations of lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells around nerve fivers within nerve bundles (fascicles).

Large segments of myelin are damaged, leaving the axons exposed to the extracellular matrix.

T-cell mediated immune response directed against myelin, causing its destruction - slowing or blocking nerve conduction

Pt exhibits sxs of muscle paralysis, loss of muscle coordination, and loss of sensation

32
Q

Multiple sclerosis

A

Attacks myelin in CNS.

Characterized by immune-mediated damage to myelin which becomes detached from the axon and is eventually destroyed.

Destruction of oligodendrocytes occurs, so new myelin cannot be made.

Myelin basic protein appears to be the major autoimmune target of this disease.

Chemical changes in the lipid and portein constituents of myelin produce irregular, multiple plaques throughout the white matter of the brain.

Sxs depend on the area in the CNS that is damaged. Typically characterized by distinct episodes of neurologic defects such as unilateral vision impariment, loss of cutaneous sensation, lack of muscle coordination and movement, and loss of bladder/bowel control.

33
Q

Endoneurium

A

Loose CT that surround individual nerve fibers

Collagen type III secreted by Schwann cells

Occasionally fibroblasts, mast cells, and macxrophages are in the endoneurium

34
Q

Perineurium

A

Specialized CT that surrounds nerve fascicles

Metabolically active diffusion barrier that maintains the ionic milieu of the ensheathed nerve fibers, contributes to the BBB

Perineural cells have characteristics of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells

35
Q

Epineurium

A

Dense irregular CT that surrounds and binds nerve fascicles into a common bundle

Often associated with adipose

Often blends with tunica adventitia of blood vessels

36
Q
A
37
Q
A
38
Q
A

Cerebrum: gray matter of cerbral cortex and its distinct layers

39
Q
A
40
Q
A

Purkinje cells

41
Q

Molecular layer of the cerebellum

A

Mostly dendrites of Purkenje cell bodies

42
Q

Where are pseudounipolar neurons typically found?

A

The dorsal root ganglion

43
Q
A

Fibrous astrocytes stained with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)

Cells with blue stained nuclei - oligodendrocytes

Remember:

Fibrous astrocytes - white matter
Protoplasmic astrocytes - gray matter

44
Q
A

Cells with large nuclei - oligodendrocytes

45
Q
A

Left - microglial

Right - oligodendrocytes

46
Q
A

Ependymal cells (at the lateral ventricle)