Neuroanatomy Flashcards
Neurons
Specialised cells for transmission of information
Glia
Support for neurons
Dendrites
Receive input, send info to cell body
Cell body
Contains nucleus and organelles, Sums input
Axon
carries electrical impulses, may or may not be myelinated
Axon terminals
End of axon, neurotransmitter release, where neurons can connect
Input zone
-Dendrites and cell body
-Receives chemical signals from other neurons
Summation zone
Axon, may be quite long
Carry electrical signals between brain, to and from spinal cord, or from
peripheral sensory receptors and to
effector cells
Output zone
-Axon terminals
-Contact with input zone of other
-neurons or
effectors
-Release of neurotransmitter = chemical signal
Multipolar
Multiple processes from the cell
body
Bipolar
2 processes from the cell body
unipolar
1 process from the cell body
anaxonic
no distinct axon as all processes look the same
Astrocytes
*Supply nutrients to neurons
* Cover blood capillaries
* Injury response
Microglia
- Immune cells of the CNS
- Engulf microorganisms and
debris
Ependymal cells
- Line fluid-filled spaces of brain and
spinal cord - Have cilia to circulate CSF
Oligodendrocytes
- Support nerve fibres
- Ensheath them with myelin
Schwann cells
- Support peripheral nerve fibres
- Ensheath them with myelin
- Similar to oligodendrocytes (CNS)
Myelin sheath
*Lipid (fat) wrapped
around axon
* CNS Oligodendrocytes
* PNS Schwann cells
* Increases conduction velocity
Nodes of Ranvier
- Gaps between myelin
- Increase conduction velocity
