Neuroglia Cells Flashcards
In what year was it acknowledged that some nerves were surrounded by sheaths with nuclei?
1838
When was the term Neuroglia coined?
1856
In what year were neuroglia acknowledged as individual entities?
1888
When was it discovered that there were multiple types of glial cells?
Mid 1800’s to early 1900’s
When were glial cells proved to be more than just structural cells?
Late 1900’s
Where are neuroglia formed?
Neuroglia are formed in the gastrula.
Specifically:
Macroglia are formed in the ectoderm.
Schwann Cells are formed in the neural crest.
Microglia are formed in the mesoderm.
Describe the morphology of astrocytes.
They have a star-like morphology with processes ending in end-feet which contact blood vessels and neurones directly.
Where are fibrous astrocytes found?
Present in the white matter tracts of the brain and spinal cord (+optic nerve & nerve fiber layer of the retina.)
Describe the morphology of fibrous astrocytes.
Their short process contact blood vessels and axona at the nodes of ranvier. The soma is arranged in rows between axon bundles and there is plenty of overlap between processes.
Where are protoplasmic astrocytes found.
Present in the grey matter of the brain and spinal cord.
Describe the morphology of protoplasmic astrocytes.
Their many short processes contact blood vessels and neurones at the synapse and soma and as they form astrocytic domains there is very little overlap.
What is the function of protoplasmic astrocytes?
Their function is to regulate the activity of the synapses and recycle neurotransmitters.
Where are radial glial cells found?
Present in the developing brain, they disappear after maturation.
Describe the morphology and function of radial glial cells.
They have two main processes which connect the ventricle wall and the surface of the brain to act as scaffolding to assist with neuronal migration.
What are Bergmann Glia Cells?
Are a type of radial glial cell present in the cerebellum with the cell body located in the Purkinje cell layer.
