Nervous tissue is a complex organization of several cell types.

In addition to various kinds of neurons, it contains

• Glial cells of several different varieties and
• Blood vessels and
• Connective tissue coverings.

The neurons are specialized to conduct impulses. The glial cells are involved in the nutrition and formation of sheaths around the neurons and play an important role in inflammatory reactions.
 

Nervous tissue is the fourth and last fundamental tissue type to be considered and is actually a complex organization of several cell types. In addition to various kinds of neurons, it contains glial cells of several different varieties and blood vessels with connective tissue coverings. The neurons are specialized to conduct impulses. The glial cells are involved in the nutrition and the formation of sheaths around the neurons and play an important role in inflammatory reactions.

Objectives

• Understand the major histological differences between central nervous tissues and other tissues.
• Recognize the major components of the spinal cord in transverse section.
• Recognize certain regions and specific neuronal types in the brain.
• Identify and learn the specific roles of the major types of glial cells in the CNS

Spinal cord.