Nervous tissue Flashcards
neurology
study of nervous system
neurologist diagnoses/treats disorders of nervous system
nervous system 3 roles
1) sense, interpret, respond to stimuli
2) generate movement/gland secretion (“respond” to stimuli)
3) thought, emotion, memory
nervous system and homeostasis
contributes to maintaining homeostasis
3 functions/components of nervous system
sensory function
integrative function
motor function
1) sensory function
afferent neurons (sensory)
signal toward CNS
detects EXTERNAL & INTERNAL stimuli
E.g.
tapping shoulder (external)
heart-rate/GI-tract (internal)
2) integrative function
INTERNEURONS b/w afferent and efferent neurons
INTEGRATE feedback in CNS
“deciding” appropriate “response”
also involved in complex mental/psychological processes such as deliberating & consideration via memories
also involved in simple reflexes (E.g. patellar reflex – DTR)
3) motor function
“command” sent by CNS via EFFERENT neurons
activate EFFECTORS –> E.g. muscles/glands
Can be Somatic (voluntary) or Autonomic (involuntary)
two major divisions of nervous system
CNS –> brain and spinal cord
PNS –>
= cranial nerves (CN1-12),
= spinal nerves (dorsal/ventral roots/rami),
= peripheral nerves (e.g. via cervical/brachial and lumbosacral plexus)
number of neurons in different parts of nervous system
brain = 85-100 billion
spinal cord = 100 million
ENS (enteric nervous system) = 500 million
the brain (CNS)
within cranial cavity
structural areas (discussed in neurology) as follows:
= cerebral cortex, pons, medulla, cerebellum, hypothalamus, thalamus, basal ganglia, pituitary gland, etc.
3 layers of protection for brain
cranium
meninges (CT membranes)
CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid)
= Similar to Blood Plasma composition
= cushions brains
= keeps buoyant in cavities (reduces effective weight so brain not resting heavily against cranial cavity)
CSF & weight of brain (?)
CSF buoyancy plays a critical role in preventing the brain from being damaged by its own weight against the cranial cavity (???)
cerebrum
largest part of brain
TWO hemispheres
Generally, RIGHT side interacts with left side of body,
LEFT side interacts with right side of body
I.e.
Afferent/Efferent signalling
” Exceptions exist
brain weight/size vs ratio of brain to body weight
ratio of brain mass : body mass may be one of the variables indicating intelligence
other variables:
surface area
relative size of brain cortex
E.g.
mice/humans have similar ratio, but human brain is more complex
Spinal cord (CNS)
extending from brain
Within vertebral canal (of “ column)
protected via CSF & vertebral column
begins @ foramen Magnum
Ends @ L1/L2 Spinal level (to lumbar plexus & sacral plexus)
spinal cord structure (cross section)
internal GREY MATTER (nerve cell bodies)
external WHITE MATTER (nerve tracts, i.e. axons)
—-> ASCENDING & DESCENDING tracts (afferent & efferent)
PNS
nerves + sensory receptors
outside CNS
31 spinal nerves (C0 the coccygeal nerve)
12 cranial nerves
peripheral nerves (branches of spinal AND CRANIAL nerves)
spinal nerves
8 cervical spinal nerves
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
1 coccygeal
spinal nerves roots
ventral roots carry efferent fibres
dorsal roots carry afferent fibres
nerve plexus & spinal nerves
branching network of nerves
e.g. brachial plexus
via Ventral rami of C5-T1
(occurs via spinal nerves)
Cranial nerves
exit directly from brain or brain stem
CN 1-12 = 12 pairs
sensory & motor signals
somatic vs autonomic
see next slides
somatic
voluntary
motor control to skeletal muscles only
general/special sense
autonomic
involuntary
to smooth/cardiac muscles, & glands
sensory feedback from same areas that are innervated
SNS (somatic nervous system)
responsible for reflex arcs
ANS (autonomic) 2 (or 3) branches
Parasympathetic nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
enteric nervous system (part of parasympathetic nervous system)
sympathetic nervous system
“fight or flight” response
changes during perceived threat to survival
E.g.
increased heart rate (increase O2 supply to skeletal muscles for action)
dilation of pupils (see in dark, increase alertness/focus)
increase glucose from liver to brain/muscle (increased alertness, readiness of skeletal muscles
dilation of airways (O2 to brain/muscles via blood)
slowing of digestion (diverting blood supply & resources to musculoskeletal system)
parasympathetic
rest/digest
sexual activity
re-establish homeostasis
decreased heart rate
constriction of pupils
bronchoconstriction
increased blood flow – to GI tract & visceral organs
ENS
intrinsic to GI tract
functions independently but technically part of Parasympathetic nervous system (of ANS)
ENS includes…
sensory neurons (chemical/mechanical changes in GI tract)
motor neurons (smooth muscle contractions + gland secretion)
Enteric nervous system example
food enters stomach:
mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors detect change (STRETCH & pH)
why?
food causes walls of stomach to stretch
food changes pH of gastric juices
In response?
stomach peristalsis
release of HCl
cells of nervous tissue
1) neurons
2) neuroglia
neurons
excitability
generate Action Potentials in response to stimuli
how fast do Action potentials travel?
1-100meters/second
neuroglia
supporting cells of nervous system
anatomy of neuron
cell body (aka PERIKARYON) – containing NUCLEUS + organelles
dendrites – projections from cell body – receive input
axon – long thin projection – conducts action potential away from cell body
perikaryon
cell body of neuron
axon hillock
where axon meets cell body
trigger zone
area within axon hillock
Action potentials generated here (begin here)
initial segment
segment of axon closest to axon hillock
note axon hillock and related terms
axon hillock + trigger zone
initial segment
axoplasm
cytoplasm of axon
axolemma
cell membrane in region of axon
axon membrane
axon terminals
axons and axon collaterals end @ AXON TERMINALS
synaptic end bulb
bulges @ end of axon terminal
END BULBS (@ axon terminal) joint w/ motor end plate of muscle fibre
I.e.
Neuromuscular junction
axon collateral
side branches
single neuron can communicate w/ many
Nissl bodies
granular bodies within cell body (perikaryon)
consist of Rough ER
make proteins
synapse
connection b/w two neurons
or b/w neuron & effector
E.g.
NMJ & synaptic cleft
note also:
presynaptic & post-synaptic membrane
Epineurium, perineurium, endoneurium (CT LAYERS)
epineurium surrounds entire peripheral nerve
perineurium surround nerve fascicles
endoneurium surrounds individual neuron
slow vs fast axonal transport
see following slides
slow axonal transport
materials in one direction:
Cell body to axon
supplies new AXOPLASM to developing/regenerating axons
slow axonal transport, rate of movement?
1-5 mm per day
fast axonal transport
materials in both directions
(to/from cell body)
including substances that are broken down / recycled
fast axonal transport, rate of movement
200-400 mm per day
structural (shape) classifications of neurons
1) pseudo-unipolar (unipolar)
2) bipolar
3) multipolar
4) Purkinje
5) pyramidal
unipolar neurons
tactile sensory neurons
dendrite and axon terminal with Axon in between – CONTINUOUS STRUCTURE
cell body connected to axon
bipolar neuron
found in retina, in olfactory area, & inner ear
(SPECIAL SENSES)
1 axon terminal and 1 dendrite on either end of cell body
multipolar
multiple dendrites @ cell body
single axon on other end
@ brain & spinal cord
@ motor neurons
Purkinje neurons
“massive, intricately branched, flat dendritic trees”
ONLY @ CEREBELLUM
—> Control motor mvmt
Purkinje fibres in heart (NOT SAME THING)
named after same scientist
role in cardiac function
pyramidal neurons
cell bodies shaped like pyramid
found @ cerebral cortex
neuroglia
support, nourish, protect neurons
neuroglia volume of CNS
about 1/2 volume of CNS
more numerous than neurons, but smaller
astrocytes
largest, most numerous neuroglia
FOUND IN CNS, not PNS (?)
astrocyte, major function
form Blood-brain barrier (BBB)
blood-brain barrier
tightly sealed lining
maintains selective permeability of capillaries
BBB prevents harmful substances entering CNS
other functions of astrocytes
regular blood flow
maintain chemical environment for neuronal signaling
help create Neurotransmitters
Assist neuron metabolism
phagocytosis of synapse
clear debris
oligodendrocytes
myelin sheath around CNS axons
facilitate speed of AP
microglia
phagocytes of CNS
remove…
–microbes
–cellular debris
–debris from damage
ependymal cells
single layer of cells
along VENTRICLES of brain
along CENTRAL CANAL (spinal cord)
Produce CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
note about ependymal cells and ventricles of brain
FOUR major ventricles in brain (cavities)
they produce/store CSF
2 lateral ventricles –> INTERVENTRICULAR FORAMEN
–> 3rd ventricle
–> CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT
–> 4th ventricle
–> CENTRAL CANAL
Pathology: Gliomas
brain tumors arising from glial cells (neuroglia)
highly malignant/fatal
glial cells
neuroglia
examples of gliomas
astrocytomas
oligodendrogliomas
causes of gliomas
not fully understood
ionizing radiation
rare genetic conditions
satellite cells
surround cell bodies of neurons in PNS
function:
provide structural support
regulate exchange of substances b/w neuron & interstitial fluid
schwann cells
form myelin sheath of PNS neurons
similar function to Oligodendrocytes of CNS
myelination
insulation of axons via neuroglia
via oligodendrocytes in CNS
via schwann cells in PNS
why myelination
increase rate/efficiency of AP transmission
mechanism is via SALTATORY CONDUCTION via myelin sheaths
oligodendrocytes and CNS
single oligodendrocyte myelinates multiple neurons
cell body not on neuron
DOES NOT HAVE NEURILEMMA
I.e.
NO NEURILEMMA ON AXON OF CNS
schwann cells and PNS
Schwann cell found on single neuron
cell body attached to axon
has neurilemma
Neurilemma
outermost layer of axon
sheath of schwann cells
also covers nodes of ranvier
NO NEURILEMMA IN CNS axons
axolemma
underneath neurilemma
membrane of axon
nodes of ranvier
gaps in myelination
high concentration of ion channels
allows AP to “skip” along axon – increases speed of conduction
I.e.
SALTATORY CONDUCTION
unmyelinated neurons (axons)
found in a schwann cell that does not form myelin
neuron (axon) exposed to extra cellular environment
NO SALTATORY CONDUCTIONS
I.e.
Slower conduction of AP
(continuous, without jumping)
grey vs white matter
in brain & CNS
some regions lighter than others
grey matter contains
cell bodies
dendrites
axon terminals
unmyelinated axons
neuroglia cells
white matter contains
myelinated axons
white vs grey matter – location in brain vs spinal cord
brain –> grey is superficial, white is deep
spinal cord –> white is superficial, grey is deep
what is grey matter in cerebrum called?
cortex
*cerebral cortex
collections of nervous tissue
i.e.
how nervous tissue components are grouped together
e.g. of nervous tissue grouping
cell bodies typically grouped together
axons typically grouped together
the groups/collections have their own names
E.g. of clusters/groups of neuron structures
Ganglia (ganglion)
nuclei (nucleus)
nerve
tract
ganglia
neuronal cell bodies
located in PNS
E.g.
dorsal root ganglion
dorsal root ganglion
cell bodies of sensory neurons
note varicella zoster and dorsal root ganglion
varicella zoster virus remains dormant after initial infection
I.e.
in dorsal root ganglion
if dormant varicella zoster virus reactivates in dorsal root ganglion?
= herpes zoster
nuclei
neuronal cell bodies in CNS
E.g.
Lentiform nucleus
caudate nucleus
nerves
bundle of axons in PNS
either sensory or motor, or mixed
tracts
bundle of axons in CNS
E.g. (spinal cord)
ascending tracts (sensory UP)
descending tracts (motor DOWN)