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NE Exam 2 > Lecture 4: Histology of CNS (Dennis) > Flashcards

Lecture 4: Histology of CNS (Dennis) Flashcards

1
Q

What substance causes neurons to appear opaque in a histological staining? What does it represent?

A

Nissl substance/bodies

Represents large, basophilic masses of free polysomes and Rough ER due to neurons being highly metabolic

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2
Q

What is the role of dendritic spines?

A

Known for their plasticity and ability to increase receptive area of the neurons

Increase in Surface Area

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3
Q

What are telodendria?

A

Dilation of branch ends of axons that contact postsynaptic cells

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4
Q

What is a neuropil?

A

The surrounding meshwork and structure that support the neuronal cell bodies

  • Works with glial cells*
  • Not part of cell body!*
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5
Q

What type of neuron is most common throughout the CNS? What do they function as?

A

Multipolar

Motor neurons, CNS interneurons

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6
Q

What is the most common function of bipolar neurons?

A

Sensory neurons of retina, olfactory mucosa, and inner ear

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7
Q

What type of neuron is found in dorsal root and cranial ganglia?

A

Unipolar/Pseudounipolar

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8
Q

What motor protein is utilized in anterograde transport?

A

Kinesin (uses ATP)

Cell body –> axon

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9
Q

What motor protein is utilized by retrograde transport?

A

Dynein

Axon –> Cell Body

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10
Q

What is the speed of slow transport?

What type of transport is this utilized by?

A

0.2-4 mm/day

Anterograde

Examples: Cytoskeletal Elements

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11
Q

What is the speed of fast transport?

What is conveyed in either direction?

A

20-400 mm/day

Anterograde: Membrane-limited organelles, sER components, synaptic vesicles, mitos

Retrograde: membrane-limited organelles, molecules endocytosed at axon terminal (toxins and viruses)

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12
Q

Most synapses in the body are ___ synapses.

A

Chemical

Utilizing NT

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13
Q

How does electrical current pass through neurons?

A

Gap junctions

Connexon proteins connect pre and post synaptic membranes

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14
Q

On a histological image, what would differentiate between a chemical and electrical synapse?

A

Chemical synapse has a vesicular presynaptic cell

Electrical synapse has visible connexon protiens

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15
Q

What is the function of glial cells?

A

Support cells involved in conduction speed, repair, neurotransmitter maintenance

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16
Q

What are types of glial cells found in the CNS?

A
  • Astrocytes
  • Oligodendrocytes
  • Ependymal cells
  • Microglia
17
Q

What is the function of astrocytes?

A
  • Prevent leakage into Blood Brain Barrier
  • Moderate NT Intake
  • Clear Debris
18
Q

Astrocytes produce perivascular feet that perform what function?

A

Modulate blood flow and move nutrients and metabolites between neurons and capillaries

19
Q

What protein reinforces the proximal regions of astrocytes?

A

Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP)

Stains Green

20
Q

What is the role of oligodendrocytes?

A

Myelinate axons from multiple neurons

Similar to Schwann Cells in PNS

21
Q

What type of epithelium are ependymal cells?

Where are they found

A

Columnar or cuboidal cells lining ventricles of the brain and central canal of spinal cord

22
Q

What is the role of ependymal cells?

A

Facilitale CSF movement

23
Q

What is the choroid plexus composed of?

A

Thin layer of well-vascularized pia mater covered by cuboidal ependymal cells

24
Q

Where is choroid plexus found?

A

Roofs of 3rd and 4th ventricles

Parts of lateral ventricular walls

25
What does the choroid plexus do?
* Removes water from blood and releases it as CSF * Has tight junctions to prevent leakge of Blood-CSF barrier
26
What are fronds?
Branches of choroid plexus that is forms a villous structure
27
What neural cells act similar to phagocytes and are the major mechanism of immune defense in the CNS?
Microglia
28
In the spinal cord, where is gray and white matter located?
Gray Matter: Internal White Matter: External *Sacral region has more gray matter than cervical*
29
How can you tell the difference between anterior and posterior horn?
* Can look for motor cell bodies in anterior horn * Most of the time, anterior horn is bigger
30
Where is the central canal located? What is its significance?
* Central commissure of grey matter * Lined by ependymal cells and has CSF
31
What are the three layers of cerebellar cortex?
* **Molecular Layer:** **​**Lot of neuropil * **Purkinje Cells:** **​**Thin layer that extends dendrites through moleculre layer * **Granular Layer:** **​**Densly packed neurons
32
What are the cerebral cortical layers?
* **Molecular Layer**: **​**Mostly neuroglial cells and _horizontal cells of Cajal_ * **External Granular Layer:** Small pyramidal cells and granule cells * **External Pyramidal Layer:** Medium pyramidal cells * **Inner Granular Layer:** Small granule cells * **Ganglionic Layer:** Huge pyramidal cells (Betz) * **Multiform Layer:** Fusiform Cells
33
What cortical layers contain the pyramidal cells?
Layer 2: Small pyramidal cells Layer 3: Medium pyramidal cells Layer 5: Large pyramidal cell layer - Betz Cells
34
What tissue is this? What is the outer layer? What is the deep layer?
Cerebellar Cortex
35
A patient's MRI shows thinning of cerebral gyri in the frontal and temporal lobes. What disease process is associated with this finding?
Alzheimer's disease
36
What structures are found in a histological slide for a patient with this disease?
Amyloid B plaques Neurofibrillary tangles: abnormal accumulation of tau
37
Where is dopamine found?
Neuromelanin pigments in _substantia nigra_
38
What are some features of Parkinson's Disease on a histological slide?
* Lewy Bodies * Pale halo * Aggregates of α-synuclein

NE Exam 2 (28 decks)

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