nervous tissue

(noun)

The principal constituent of the central and peripheral nervous system, comprised neurons and neuroglia cells.

Related Terms

  • brain
  • myelin

Examples of nervous tissue in the following topics:

  • Characteristics of Nervous Tissue

    • Nervous tissue is the main component of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
    • Nervous tissue is one of four major classes of tissues.
    • It is specialized tissue found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
    • The nervous system is responsible for the control of the body and the communication among its parts.
    • Nervous tissue contains two categories of cells—neurons and neuroglia.
  • Types of Nervous Tissue

    • The nervous system consists of nervous tissue, which is composed of two principal types of cells called neuron and neuroglia.
    • Nervous tissue, one of the four main tissue types, is composed of neurons and supporting cells called neuroglia.
    • There are six types of neuroglia—four in the central nervous system and two in the PNS.
    • Satellite cells surround neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
    • Schwann cells surround all nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system and form myelin sheaths around the nerve fibers.
  • Tissues in Levels of Organization

    • The four basic tissue types are epithelial, muscle, connective, and nervous tissue.
    • Each tissue type has a characteristic role in the body:
    • Nervous tissue provides a means of rapid internal communication by transmitting electrical impulses.
    • Most organs contain more than one tissue type.
    • Cells form tissues, and tissues form organs.
  • Characteristics of Epithelial Tissue

    • The human body consists of four types of tissue: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous.
    • Epithelial tissue covers the body, lines all cavities, and composes the glands.
    • In its role as an interface tissue, epithelium accomplishes many functions, including:
    • Protection for the underlying tissues from radiation, desiccation, toxins, and physical trauma.
    • Regulation and excretion of chemicals between the underlying tissues and the body cavity.
  • Levels of Organization

    • In humans, most cells combine to form tissues, but some cells are found independent of solid tissues and have their own functions.
    • Humans have four different types of basic tissues.
    • Connective tissues such as bone tissue are made up of fibrous cells and give shape and structure to organs.
    • Nervous tissue is made of specialized cells that transmit information through electrochemical impulses, such as the tissue of nerves, the spinal cord, and the brain.
    • For example, blood pressure is controlled by a combination of the renal system (kidneys), the circulatory system, and the nervous system.
  • Regeneration of Nerve Fibers

    • The peripheral nervous system is able to repair and regenerate itself, but the central nervous system is incapable of doing so.
    • Neuroregeneration refers to the regrowth or repair of nervous tissues, cells, or cell products.
    • Injury to the peripheral nervous system immediately elicits the migration of phagocytes, Schwann cells, and macrophages to the lesion site in order to clear away debris such as damaged tissue.
    • Unlike peripheral nervous system injury, injury to the central nervous system is not followed by extensive regeneration.
    • Micrograph of a nerve with a decrease in myelinated nerve fibres (pink) and an abnormal increase in fibrous tissue (yellow), as may be seen in nerve injuries.
  • Development of the Peripheral Nervous System

    • The peripheral nervous system develops from two strips of tissue called the neural crest, running lengthwise above the neural tube.
    • In vertebrates, the first sign of the nervous system is the appearance of a thin strip of cells along the center of the back, called the neural plate.
    • The inner portion of the neural plate (along the midline) is destined to become the central nervous system (CNS), the outer portion the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
    • At this point the future CNS appears as a cylindrical structure called the neural tube, whereas the future PNS appears as two strips of tissue called the neural crest, running lengthwise above the neural tube.
    • The neural tube will give rise to the central nervous system, while the neural crest will give rise to the peripheral nervous system.
  • Subdivisions of the Nervous System

    • The nervous system is comprised of two major subdivisions, the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
    • Gray matter, which is only gray in preserved tissue but pink or light brown in living tissue, contains a relatively high proportion of neuron cell bodies.
    • The PNS is further subdivided into the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the somatic nervous system.
    • The ANS is classically divided into two subsystems: the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
    • The enteric nervous system (ENS) controls the gastrointestinal system and is sometimes considered part of the autonomic nervous system.
  • Enteric Nervous System

    • The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that directly controls the gastrointestinal system.
    • The gastrointestinal (GI) system has its own nervous system, the enteric nervous system (ENS).
    • The mucosa and epithelial tissue associated with the submucosal plexus also have sensory nerve endings that feed signals to both layers of the enteric plexus.
    • These tissues also send information back to the sympathetic pre-vertebral ganglia, the spinal cord, and the brain stem .
    • An illustration of neural control of the gut wall by the autonomic nervous system and the enteric nervous system.
  • Sympathetic Nervous System

    • Sympathetic ganglia are the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system (see , red fibers).
    • Sympathetic ganglia are the tissue from which neuroblastoma tumours arise.
    • The sympathetic nervous system is said to have "thoracolumbar outflow" based on its location.
    • The parasympathetic nervous system, shown in blue, is a division of the autonomic nervous system.
    • Describe the features of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
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