Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Glia, also called glial cells (gliocytes) or neuroglia, are non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and in the peripheral nervous system that do not produce electrical impulses. The neuroglia make up more than one half the volume of neural tissue in the human body. [1]
Oligodendrocytes (from Greek 'cells with a few branches'), also known as oligodendroglia, are a type of neuroglia whose main function is to provide the myelin sheath to neuronal axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Myelination gives metabolic support to, and insulates the axons of most vertebrates. [1]
These cells do not simply carry out functions of structural support, but can also take part in cell-to-cell communication with neurons, microglia, and other astrocytes by receiving inputs, organizing information, and sending out chemical signals. [5] The Ca 2+ signal from the astrocyte may also participate in controlling blood flow in the brain ...
Nervous tissue, also called neural tissue, is the main tissue component of the nervous system.The nervous system regulates and controls body functions and activity. It consists of two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) comprising the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprising the branching peripheral nerves.
Brain cells make up the functional tissue of the brain. The rest of the brain tissue is the structural stroma that includes connective tissue such as the meninges, blood vessels, and ducts. The two main types of cells in the brain are neurons, also known as nerve cells, and glial cells, also known as neuroglia. [1]
Schwann cells or neurolemmocytes (named after German physiologist Theodor Schwann) are the principal glia of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Glial cells function to support neurons and in the PNS, also include satellite cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, enteric glia and glia that reside at sensory nerve endings, such as the Pacinian corpuscle.
These cells (and other neuroglia including astrocytes) are distributed in large non-overlapping regions throughout the CNS. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Microglia are key cells in overall brain maintenance – they are constantly scavenging the CNS for plaques , damaged or unnecessary neurons and synapses , and infectious agents. [ 7 ]
However, they are suspected to signal more through volume transmission as opposed to the typical chemical synapse. One study found that approximately 78% of neurogliaform cell boutons did not form classical synapses and also indicated that their synaptic boutons are at a larger than usual distance from their target dendrites. [ 5 ]