Histology of Nervous Tissue

Flashcards for reviewing nervous tissue histology and organization.

What does 'afferent' refer to in the nervous system?

Sensory input to the nervous system.

What does 'efferent' refer to in the nervous system?

Motor output from the nervous system.

Which neuroglial cells in the CNS are important for mopping up neurotransmitters and creating the blood-brain barrier?

Astrocytes.

What is the main function of microglial cells in the CNS?

Defensive cells in the CNS.

What is the function of ependymal cells?

Line cerebrospinal fluid-filled cavities.

What is the main function of oligodendrocytes in the CNS?

They form myelin sheaths around CNS nerve fibers.

What is a ganglion?

A collection of nerve cell bodies in the PNS.

What is the function of Schwann cells?

The cells that create the myelin wrapping around axons in the PNS.

What are Nodes of Ranvier?

Gaps in-between the myelin wrapping created by schwann cells

What is Soma?

Cell body of a neuron.

What is the synapse region?

Where axon terminal meets with a dendrite or soma of the next neuron.

What is a tract?

Collection of axons within CNS.

What is a nerve?

Collection of axons within PNS.

What is white matter?

Myelinated structures (typically axons).

What is gray matter?

Structures that are not myelinated (nerve cell bodies).

What does 'visceral' refer to?

Relates to internal organs.

What does 'somatic' refer to?

Refers to things we consciously perceive or activate.

What are the three layers of connective tissue wrappings found in a nerve, and what does each surround?

Epineurium surrounds the full nerve, perineurium wraps around fascicles, and endoneurium surrounds each individual axon.