Neuroglia: Non-Neuronal Cells

of the Nervous System

Plan
 Overview of Neuroglia
 In detail
 Big picture
Overview

Glial Cells & Neuronal Activity

 Glial cells are 10 times more abundant in the mammalian brain than
neurons.
 In the CNS glial cells surround most of the neurons
 Glial cells furnish a microenvironment ideal for neuronal activity.

 They are six and will be discussed in the following slides.

 In detail
1) Oligodendrocytes
 Oligodendrocytes (Gr. oligos, small,
few + dendron, tree + kytos, cell)
 Produce myelin sheath through
their extensive processes
 Predominately existent in white
matter.
 Their processes is not visible by light
staining microscope.
2) Astrocytes
Astrocytes (Gr. astron, star, + kytos)
fibrous astrocytes relatively few long
processes are located in the white matter.
protoplasmic astrocytes, with many
short, branched processes, are found in
the gray matter.
1) Support neurons
2) Very important in early development
 3) They form perivascular feet
4) They form Glial limiting membrane
5) Glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) is an
important marker
(a): X500. Gold chloride. (b): X500. Anti-GFAP immunoperoxidase and
Cytoplasmic processes (P) hematoxylin counterstain.
cell body or soma (S).

Morphological y: fibrous astrocyte (A) and its processes. perivascular

fibrous (relatively few and straight processes) feet (PF) at the ends of numerous astrocytic
protoplasmic (numerous branching processes processes.
3) Ependymal Cells 4) Microglia
are small cells with short irregular
low columnar or cuboidal cells.
processes

1. Migrate to neuropil to analyse and

1. Lining ventricles and spinal cord
the area
2. Cillia for (CSF). 2. Major mechanism of defence for CNS.
3. Other times microvilli for absorption
3. Their origin is not neural tube, but
4. Joined apically by junctional complexes from circulating monocytes in blood.
like epithelia
5. No basal lamina but extend to neuropil
 Ependymal cells

epithelial-like cells that form a single layer lining the fluid-filled ventricles of
(a) the cerebrum (b) the central canal of the spinal cord.
5) Schwann cells
also called neurolemmocytes,
Have trophic interactions with neurons.
One neurolemmocyte forms myelin
around a segment of one axon
6) Satellite Cells of Ganglia
Form a covering layer over the large
neuronal cell bodies in PNS ganglia.
trophic or supportive role, but the
molecular basis of their support is poorly
understood.
Big Picture
Glial Cell Type Origin Location Main Functions

Oligodendrocyte Neural tube Central nervous system Myelin production, electric insulation

Neurolemmocyte Neural crest Peripheral nerves Myelin production, electric insulation

Astrocyte Neural tube Central nervous system Structural support, repair processes

      Blood-brain barrier, metabolic exchanges

Ependymal cell Neural tube Central nervous system Lining cavities of central nervous system

Microglia Bone marrow Central nervous system Immune-related activity

Glial cell in the CNS:
(a): Oligodendrocytes
myelinate parts of several axons.

(b): Astrocytes
have multiple processes and form perivascular
feet that completely enclose all capillaries
(only a few such feet are shown here to allow
their morphology to be seen).
(c): Ependymal cells
are epithelial-like cells that line the
ventricles and central canal.

(d): Microglial cells have a protective,

phagocytic, immune-related function. Glial
cells in the PNS.
Glial cells in the PNS:

(e): Neurolemmocytes:
commonly called Schwann cells, form a series
enclosing axons.

(f): Satellite cells

are restricted to ganglia where
they cover and support the large neuronal cell
bodies.
References
 Fundemental Neuroscience for Basic and Clinical Applications, 3rd Ed
 Color Textbook of Histology
 Janguira’s Basic Histology, 12th Ed
 Gracias …

.. ‫آپ کا شکریہ‬
शुक्रिया …
謝謝 … Danke Je .. ‫ شكرا‬..
Thank you … 

Merci ...
E se …
ありがとう … Ef̱charistó …̱
(a): . X200. H&E.

(b): X200. Gold & hematoxylin.

Glia Limitans

Neuropil

Red arrow = pia mater cell; GL = glia limitans

Quiescent Microglia: Stained with silver