ANAT2241 Nervous Tissue

From Embryology

ANAT2241 course banner.jpg

ANAT2241 This practical support page content is not part of the virtual science practical class and provides additional information for student self-directed learning purposes. All practical class pages are located on Moodle - ANAT2241

General Objective

To understand the main histological features of the peripheral and central parts of the nervous system (PNS and CNS).

Specific Objectives

  1. To know the histological features of peripheral nerves in cross, oblique and longitudinal section and the LM and EM features of the myelin sheath.
  2. To identify peripheral nerves in routinely stained sections of various organs.
  3. To know the structure of muscle spindles and Pacinian and Meissner’s corpuscles.
  4. To know the ultrastructure of a CNS synapse and the morphology of the neuromuscular junction.
  5. To distinguish between the components and location of grey and white matter, using the spinal cord and cerebellum as examples.
  6. To describe the parts of the neurone: perikaryon (soma), dendrites, axon, axon hillock, axon collateral, telodendria (terminal arborizations).
  7. To identify large multipolar neurones in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, Purkinje neurones in cortex of cerebellum, multipolar neurones in peripheral autonomic ganglia and pseudounipolar neurones in sensory ganglia.
  8. To know the basic histological features of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia and ependymal cells. To identify the nuclei of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Learning Activities

  • Examine the following virtual slides and in your course manual draw and label the features listed and state their function(s):


Virtual Slides: Nervous Tissue


Adult human brain (lateral view)

Adult brain animation 01.gif

This page provides histology support information for central nervous system structure.


Historic cortex histology


Key concepts

A Neuron - the functional unit of the nervous system

The brain and spinal cord comprise the central nervous system (CNS). The nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and brain to pass to parts of the body are the peripheral nervous tissue (PNS). Nervous tissue, with many interconnections, forms a complex system of neuronal communication within the body and is specialized for detecting stimuli, integrating functions, controlling effectors and higher functions. Nervous tissue consists of cell bodies, cell processes (nerves), and neuroglia (supporting cells).

Neurons

Structural and Functional units of the nervous system.

These cells (around 12 billion) are responsible for the receptive, integrative, and motor functions of the nervous system. They can generate nerve impulses (irritability), and can transmit these impulses along their processes (conductivity). They range in diameter from 5 to 150 μm and contain 3 parts: a cell body, multiple dendrites and a single axon.

  1. Cell body (soma, perikaryon) is the region of the neuron containing a large pale-staining spherical, nucleus with a conspicuous nucleolus and perinuclear cytoplasm.
  2. Dendrites project from the cell body and are specialized for receiving (afferent) stimuli from sensory cells, axons and other neurons which are then transmitted towards the soma.
  3. Axons arise as a single thin process extending longer distances from the cell body than the dendrite. As with dendrites, the terminals of the axon are branching and terminate in end bulbs (terminal boutons), which come close to another cell and form a synapse.

Glia

Glia are the support cells of both the central and peripheral nervous system. There are several different types of glial cells each with specific functions.

Central Glia

  • Astrocytes - (astroglia) are "star-shaped" cells with processes often in contact with a blood vessel (perivascular foot processes).
    • provide mechanical and metabolic support to neurons
    • maintenance of the composition of the extracellular fluid.
    • removal of transmitters and their metabolism at synapses
    • scar-forming cells of the CNS.
  • Oligodendrocytes - (oligoglia) cells have fewer and shorter processes
    • form central myelin sheaths around axons
    • can form parts of the myelin sheath around several axons
  • Microglia - are small cells with complex shapes, embryonically mesoderm origin.
    • same cells form monocytes (tissue macrophage precursor)
    • tissue damage causes microglia to proliferate and differentiate into phagocytotic cells.
  • Ependymal cells - cilated simple cuboidal or low columnar epithelium.
    • line ventricles of the brain and spinal cord central canal
    • lack of tight junctions, allows exchange between cerebrospinal fluid and nervous tissue.

Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral Nerve Fibers

Peripheral nerves are bundles (fascicles) of nerve fibers (axons) surrounded by several CT sheaths. Each bundle contains sensory and motor components.

Myelinated Fibers (1-20μm diameter)

Myelin (rich in lipid) is the membrane of the Schwann cell organized into a spiral sheath that is wrapped several times around the axon. Schwann cells are cells whose cytoplasm contains a flattened nucleus, a small Golgi apparatus, and a few mitochondria. Myelinated fibers are capable of rapid transfer of impulses (touch sensory pathways).

Unmyelinated Fibers (less than 2μm in diameter)

Some axons in the PNS are surrounded by Schwann cells but not wrapped with layers of myelin. They are found in pain and temperature sensory pathways and motor paths to the viscera.

Structure of myelinated axons 01.jpg
Structure of central and peripheral myelinated axons[1]


a - Myelinating glial cells, oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) or Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).


  • Form the myelin sheath by enwrapping their membrane several times around the axon.
  • Myelin covers the axon at intervals (internodes), leaving bare gaps (nodes of Ranvier).
  • Oligodendrocytes can myelinate different axons and several internodes per axon.
  • Schwann cells myelinate a single internode in a single axon.

(text modified from original figure legend)


Virtual Slide Box (Peripheral Nerve) and Zurich Virtual Slide database (Nerve; Goldner and Nerve; Haematoxylin and Eosin)
  • Identify fascicles (bundles) of nerves, levels of connective tissue wrappings (epineurium, perineurium, endoneurium), fibroblast nuclei, adipose tissue, blood vessels, myelinated nerve fibers, axons, and Schwann cells.
  • What is the function of a Schwann cell and what effect does myelin have on nerve transmission?
  • Why do 3 levels of connective tissue wrap nerve fibers?
Myelination animation.gif

Simplified animation shown how an axon develops a myelin sheath consisting of layers of either oligodendrocyte (CNS) or Schwann (PNS) cell membrane.

Peripheral nerve histology 04.jpg

neurovascular bundle (Stain - Osmium)

Peripheral nerve histology 05.jpg

overview (Stain - Osmium)

Peripheral nerve histology 01.jpg

neural connective tissue (Stain - Haematoxylin Eosin)

Peripheral nerve histology 02.jpg

nerve longitudinal (Stain - Haematoxylin Eosin)

Peripheral nerve histology 03.jpg

myelin sheath (Stain - Haematoxylin Eosin)

Schmidt-Lanterman cleft cartoon.jpg

Schmidt-Lanterman cleft (diagram)

Sensory and Autonomic Ganglia

Dorsal root ganglion histology 01.jpg Autonomic ganglion histology 01.jpg

Virtual Slide Box (Sensory Trigeminal Ganglion, cat., Luxol Fast Blue and H&E).

  • Identify the pseudounipolar somata, with central nuclei and satellite cells.
  • Identify the axons, axon hillock, neurokeratin and Schmidt-Lanterman cleft.
  • What is the function of the sensory ganglion?


Pacinian Corpuscle

Skin cartoon

Meissner Corpuscle

Meissner corpuscle 01.jpg Meissner corpuscle 02.jpg

Muscle Spindle

Neuromuscular Junction

Neuromuscular junction cartoon 01.jpg Neuromuscular junction 01.jpg
Neuromuscular junction diagram Neuromuscular junction

Central Nervous System

Spinal Cord

Transverse section of the spinal cord in the mid-thoracic region
Fig. 675. A spinal nerve with its anterior and posterior roots

Virtual Slide Box (Spinal cord and Spinal cord smear) and Zurich Virtual Slide database (Spinal cord-Thoracic Segment-Luxol Fast Blue, Neutral Red and Spinal cord-Lumbar Segment-Azan and Meninges-Azan).

Identify gray and white matter, central canal (surrounded by ependymal cells), dorsal and ventral horns, meninges (pia, arachnoid and dura mater), subarachnoid space with dorsal and ventral rootlets, blood vessels, a motor neurone with a cell body (soma), nucleus, nucleolus, Nissl granules, an axon with axon hillock area, dendrites, glial cells (oligodendrocytes, astrocytes).

Spinal cord (Luxol Fast Blue)
Spinal cord histology 01.jpg Spinal cord histology 02.jpg
  • What is the difference between white and gray matter?
Spinal cord - Grey and white matter
Spinal cord histology 03.jpg Spinal cord histology 04.jpg
Spinal cord - Grey matter
Spinal cord histology 11.jpg

Grey matter (Stain - Haematoxylin Eosin)

Spinal cord histology 12.jpg

Grey matter (silver)

  • What do Nissl granules represent?
  • What is the functional difference between an axon and a dendrite?

Spinal cord histology 10.jpg

Spinal Cord ependymal cells

  • What is the function of ependymal cells?
  • What function do the meninges serve and what type of tissue are the meninges made up of?
  • What is the function of an oligodendrocyte and of an astrocyte?

Histology Images

Spinal Cord: Overview 1 | Overview 2 | Overview animation | Grey matter | Grey matter | Grey matter | White matter | Overview unlabeled | Grey matter unlabeled 1 | Grey matter unlabeled 2 | White matter unlabeled 1 | Ependymal cells unlabeled


Cerebellum

Virtual Slide Box (Brain/Cerebellum and Cerebellum silver stain) and Zurich Virtual Slide database (Cerebellum silver stain).

  • Identify the folia (folds), meninges (pia and arachnoid mater), blood vessels, and white and gray matter. The gray matter is subdivided into 3 distinct layers namely outer molecular, inner granular and middle Purkinje cell layer. Note the processes on the Purkinje cells.
  • What does white matter consist of?
  • What is the function of the Purkinje neuron?


Cerebellum Images: Anatomical position | Upper surface | Projection fibres | Sagittal section | Transverse section folium | Cerebellum Development
Gray0706.jpg

Cerebellum - historic drawing

Cortex


Development

The following information is not part of the current class, but for students interested in issues of normal and abnormal neural development.


Neural Links: ectoderm | neural | neural crest | ventricular | sensory | Stage 22 | gliogenesis | neural fetal | Medicine Lecture - Neural | Lecture - Ectoderm | Lecture - Neural Crest | Lab - Early Neural | neural abnormalities | folic acid | iodine deficiency | Fetal Alcohol Syndrome | neural postnatal | neural examination | Histology | Historic Neural | Category:Neural
Neural Parts: neural | prosencephalon | telencephalon cerebrum | amygdala | hippocampus | basal ganglia | diencephalon | epithalamus | thalamus | hypothalamus‎ | pituitary | pineal | mesencephalon | tectum | rhombencephalon | metencephalon | pons | cerebellum | myelencephalon | medulla oblongata | spinal cord | neural vascular | ventricular | lateral ventricles | third ventricle | cerebral aqueduct | fourth ventricle | central canal | meninges | Category:Ventricular System | Category:Neural

Developing Cortex

Human Embryo - developing cortex

  • Week 8, Carnegie stage 22.
  • Inset (upper right) shows section overview and approximate level of section (red line).
  • Thin layer outer called cortical plate will eventually form the adult brain cortex.
    • Other underlying layers are part of the development process and will continue to supply cells to the cortex through fetal period, these layers will eventually be almost completely lost.
  • Meninges - shown to the left of the section. Note the presence of many blood vessels in this region.
  • Ventricles - shown to the right of the section.
  • Developing cerebrum layer thicknesses are shown in microns.
Stage 22 image 217.jpg

Neural System - Abnormalities

Terms

  • arachnoid mater - (Greek, arachne = spider + -oeides = form) A meshwork (spider web-like) connective tissue covering of the central nervous system, forms part of the meningial layers. Lies between tough outer dura mater layer and the inner fine pia mater layer. These three connective tissue layers have different embryonic origins: dura is from mesoderm, pia and arachnoid layers are neural crest in origin. The space underlying the arachnoid mater (subarachnoid space) is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
  • artifact - changes and distortions introduced to the normal tissue structure by the histological processing. Common artifacts include: folds (gives the tissue a darker appearance), tears (rips in the tissue can be seen in epithelia), shrinkage when tissues loose mainly liquid through histological processing, and cuts often used in tissue preparation.
  • axon hillock - point of axon beginning or initiation from the neuron cell body (soma). (hillock, is a small hill)
  • blood-brain barrier - (BBB) formed by endothelial cells of brain capillaries, differing in junctions, transport and glial association from those found in peripheral capillaries. Damage to this layer can occur following injuries involving ischemia and reperfusion. Note a similar vascular "barrier" can be found in the testis.
  • cell body - (soma, perikaryon) is the region of the neuron containing a large pale-staining spherical, nucleus with a conspicuous nucleolus and perinuclear cytoplasm.
  • dura mater - (Latin, dura mater = hard mother) The outer tough connective tissue meningial coat of the 3 layers that cover the central nervous system of 3 layers (overlays the arachnoid mater middle layer and pia mater inner layer). These three connective tissue layers have different embryonic origins: dura is from mesoderm, pia mater and arachnoid layers are neural crest in origin.Duramater at the level of the spinal cord is separated from the periosteum of the vertebral canal by an epidural space.
  • leptomeninges - (thin meninges) Term referring to just the pia mater and arachnoid mater layers of the meninges.
  • Luxol fast blue - stain for myelin sheath of nerve fibres. (More? Histology Stains)
  • meninges - (singular meninx; Greek, meninx = membrane) Anatomical term describing the three connective tissue layers that surround the entire central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The 3 layers from the central nervous outward are: pia mater, arachnoid mater, and the dura mater. These layers also have differing embryonic origins; dura mater is mesoderm, pia mater and arachnoid are neural crest. The space under the arachnoid layer (subarachnoid space) is filled with cerebrospinal fluid. (More? Image - Meninges cartoon)
  • meningococcal disease - (meningitis) Term describing the bacterial infection of cerebrospinal fluid of the spinal cord and brain. Note meningitis can also be caused by a viral or other organism infection. Treatment and outcomes differ for either viral (less severe, resolves without specific treatment) or bacterial (severe, may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability) infections. (More? Bacterial Infection | Postnatal Development | CDC - meningococcal disease | Medline Plus - Meningitis)
  • myelin - (myelin sheath) is the membrane of a glial cell (brain, oligodendrocyte; peripheral nerve, Schwann cell) organized into a spiral sheath that is wrapped many times around the axon.
  • neuropil - (neuropile) is the region of nerve fibres (axons and dendrites) with numerous synapses and also glia, with few neural cell bodies. (Historic term, located in grey matter and does not refer to white matter.)
  • neurokeratin - Term describing the protein network remaining after the myelin has been removed from the myelin sheath of nerves and seen in the histological sections. (Historically used by Ewald and Kuhnefirst in 1877 to describe "the substance contained in medullated nerves and in the central nerve organs which is insoluble in alcohol and ether".)
  • Nissl body - Term describing the chromatophilic granules in the neuronal soma formed by the rough endoplasmic reticulum, very apparent in spinal cord motor neuron histology. (Named after Franz Nissl (1860 - 1919) a German neurologist.)
  • node of Ranvier - Distinct myelinated axon region where two adjacent segments of myelin are separated an short unmyelinated region. Physiological site for action potential saltatory conduction jumping. (Named after their discoverer Louis Antoine Ranvier (1835 – 1922), a German anatomist.)
  • perineurium - A lamellated sheath of connective tissue and cells around a nerve fascicle. (3 CT layers: epineurium-perineurium-endoneurium)
  • pia mater - A fine connective tissue covering of the central nervous system, forms innermost part of the meningial layers. Lies beneath the arachnoid mater and then tough outer dura mater layer. These three connective tissue layers have different embryonic origins: pia mater and arachnoid layers are neural crest in origin, dura is from mesoderm. The space overlying the pia mater (subarachnoid space) is filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The pia mater has close contact with the spinal cord and brain, in the brain it follows down into the sulci and fissures of the cortex. This layer also fuses with the membranous lining of the ventricles (ependyma) forming the choroid plexus.
  • Purkinje (Purkyne), Johannes Evangelista, Ritter von. (1787 - 1869) Breslau pathologist, Prague physiologist; famous microscopist; early use of microtome; P. cells = largest cerebellar neurones with extensive dendrites (1837); P. cells = conducting heart cells (1845); P. phenomenon = casting shadows of retinal blood vessels.
  • satellite cells - (satellite glial cells) Glial cells that surround each neuron in peripheral ganglia (sensory, sympathetic). (Note these should not be confused with entirely different "satellite cells" found in skeletal muscle.)
  • Schmidt-Lanterman cleft - (Schmidt-Lanterman incisure) remnants of Schwann cell cytoplasm forming funnel-shaped circumferential discontinuities distributed irregularly (10 to 100 micron intervals) throughout the internodal myelin. May have a role in peripheral nerve stretch, these incisures are not usually present in the CNS. (More? Schmidt-Lanterman cleft cartoon | Figure 4-9)
  • soma - see cell body.
  • substantia gelatinosa - (substantia gelatinosa of Rolando) Distinct region of spinal cord grey matter in dorsal horn containing both small neurons and neuroglia, appears pale due to presence of very few myelinated fibers.
  • vasa nervorum - the small arteries providing the blood supply to peripheral nerves.

References

  1. Poliak S & Peles E. (2003). The local differentiation of myelinated axons at nodes of Ranvier. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. , 4, 968-80. PMID: 14682359 DOI.


Textbook

Neuroscience 2nd edition. Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2001.

External Links

External Links Notice - The dynamic nature of the internet may mean that some of these listed links may no longer function. If the link no longer works search the web with the link text or name. Links to any external commercial sites are provided for information purposes only and should never be considered an endorsement. UNSW Embryology is provided as an educational resource with no clinical information or commercial affiliation.


Course Links

Moodle - ANAT2241 - 2019

Histology Glossary: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ANAT2241 Support | Histology | Histology Stains | Embryology Glossary


Common Histology Stains  
Histology Stains - Common Stains and Their Reactions
Stain
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Collagen
RBCs
Other
Haematoxylin
blue
-
-
-
mucins - light blue
Eosin
-
pink
pale pink
bright red
colloid - pinkmuscle - red
Iron Haematoxylin
blue/black
-
-
-
Van Gieson
-
brown/yellow
red
yellow
muscle: yellow/browncartilage - pink
Verhoeff's Elastin
black
-
-
-
elastic fibres - black
Tartrazine
-
yellow
yellow
yellow
Silver Impregnation
-
-
grey/brown
-
reticular fibres - black
Methyl Green
dark green
light green
light green
green
Nuclear Fast Red
red
pink
pink
pink
Gomori's Trichrome
purple/red
purple
green
red
keratin - redmuscle - purple/red
Heidenhain's Azan
red
purple/red
deep blue
red
muscle - red
Osmium Tetroxide
-
-
brown
brown
myelin, lipids - black
Alcian Blue
-
-
-
-
mucins, - blue
Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)
-
-
pink
-
mucins, glycogen, glycocalyx - magenta
Phosphotungstic Acid-Hematoxylin (PTAH)
blue
-
red
blue
muscle bands - blue
Masson's Trichrome
blue/black
red
green/blue
red
cartilage, mucins - blue or green; muscle - red
Luxol Fast Blue
-
-
-
variable
myelin - blue
Aldehyde Fuchsin
-
-
-
-
elastic fibres, mast cells - deep purple
Light Green
-
-
light green
-
Gallocyanin
dark blue
-
-
-
nucleic acids, Nissl granules - dark blue
Romanowsky (e.g. Leishman's)
blue
pink
acidophils - red, basophils - blue, azurophilic - purple
Aldehyde Pararosanilin elastic fibres - purple
Haematoxylin and Eosin
One of the most common staining techniques in pathology and histology. Acronym "H and E" stain. (H&E, HE).


Haematoxylin
  • Stains nuclei blue to dark-blue.
  • Stains the matrix of hyaline cartilage, myxomatous, and mucoid material pale blue.
  • Stains myelin weakly but is not noticeable if combined with eosin stain.
  • combined with Orange G (H & Or. G.) instead of eosin, specifically stains the granules of acidophilic cells of the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary).
Eosin
  • Stains cytoplasm pink to red; red blood cells are also bright red.
  • Common counterstain to hematoxylin.
  • Stain intensity varies with the formula as well as the fixative.

Practical Support

Pages can be accessed from any internet connected computer.

ANAT2241 Support Links: The Virtual Microscope | Covering and Lining Epithelia | Glandular Epithelia | CT Components | CT Types | Bone, Bone Formation and Joints | Muscle | Nervous | Blood | Eye | Cardiovascular | Respiratory | Integumentary | Gastrointestinal | Gastrointestinal Organs | Lymphatic and Immune | Endocrine | Urinary | Female Reproductive | Male Reproductive | Histology Stains | Histology Drawings | Practicals Health and Safety 2013 | Moodle - 2019


ANAT2241 This practical support page content is not part of the science practical class and provides only background information for student self-directed learning purposes.


Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, March 19) Embryology ANAT2241 Nervous Tissue. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/ANAT2241_Nervous_Tissue

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