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Neurons - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 12:28, 30 June 2010
, 12:28, 30 June 2010no edit summary
** Repair and scarring in the brain
** Repair and scarring in the brain
Structure:
[[Image:astrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Astrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image courtesy of Alliance Européenne Dana pour le Cerveau (EDAB)]]
[[Image:astrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Astrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image courtesy of Alliance Européenne Dana pour le Cerveau (EDAB)]]
* Astrocytes are "star-shaped".
* Astrocytes are "star-shaped".
* Astrocyte expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) allows their identification histologically.
* Astrocyte expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) allows their identification histologically.
Function:
* '''Structural'''
* '''Structural'''
==Oligodendrocytes==
==Oligodendrocytes==
Structure:
[[Image:oligodendrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Oligodendrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image obtained from WikiMedia Commons Repository]]
[[Image:oligodendrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Oligodendrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image obtained from WikiMedia Commons Repository]]
** These precursors are post-mitotic, meaning oligodendrocytes can be replaced.
** These precursors are post-mitotic, meaning oligodendrocytes can be replaced.
Function:
* Oligodendrocytes can [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#The Process of Myelination|myelinate]] up to 40 axons at a time.
* Oligodendrocytes can [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#The Process of Myelination|myelinate]] up to 40 axons at a time.
==Microglial Cells==
==Microglial Cells==
Structure:
* Microglia are the CNS representatives of mononuclear phagocyte system.
* Microglia are the CNS representatives of mononuclear phagocyte system.
*#* Located within the substance of the neural tissue.
*#* Located within the substance of the neural tissue.
Function:
[[Image:microglia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Microglia (immunohistochemical staining). Image from WikiMedia Repository]]
[[Image:microglia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Microglia (immunohistochemical staining). Image from WikiMedia Repository]]
* Microglia act as macrophages.
* Microglia act as macrophages.
* They are involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid
* They are involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid
Structure:
[[Image:Forkingaqueduct.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Forking aqueduct, showing ependymal cells. Image courtesy of BioMed Archive]]
[[Image:Forkingaqueduct.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Forking aqueduct, showing ependymal cells. Image courtesy of BioMed Archive]]
* Ependymal cells line the CSF-filled ventricles in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord, and form part of the choroid plexus.
* Ependymal cells line the CSF-filled ventricles in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord, and form part of the choroid plexus.
** Microvilli.
** Microvilli.
Function:
* Within the ventricles, modified ependymal cells and capillaries form a system called the choroid plexus.
* Within the ventricles, modified ependymal cells and capillaries form a system called the choroid plexus.
*** This is the basis of the [[Blood Brain Barrier - Anatomy & Physiology|blood brain barrier]]
*** This is the basis of the [[Blood Brain Barrier - Anatomy & Physiology|blood brain barrier]]
Structure and Function:
[[Image:WIKIVETperipheralnervestructure.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Peripheral Nerve Structure © Sophie Stenner]]
[[Image:WIKIVETperipheralnervestructure.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Peripheral Nerve Structure © Sophie Stenner]]
*Nerve fibres reside in a connective tissue matrix called the '''endoneurium''' and are gathered together into bundles or fascicles defined by a second connective tissue layer called the '''perineurium'''.
*Nerve fibres reside in a connective tissue matrix called the '''endoneurium''' and are gathered together into bundles or fascicles defined by a second connective tissue layer called the '''perineurium'''.