Nervous Tissue Quiz

Grey Matter Location in the Central Nervous System (C.N.S.)

• Grey matter is predominantly located in the cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain.
• It is also found in deeper regions of the brain, such as the basal ganglia and thalamus.
• In the spinal cord, grey matter is situated centrally, resembling a butterfly or an "H" shape, surrounded by white matter.

Structure of Nerve Cells in Spinal Ganglia

• Nerve cells in spinal ganglia, also known as dorsal root ganglia, feature a pseudounipolar structure.
• Each cell has a single process that bifurcates into two branches: one extending to the periphery and the other to the spinal cord.
• These cells are primarily involved in transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain.

Irregular and Small Structure Nerve Cells

• Nerve cells with irregular and small structures are often located in the sympathetic ganglia.
• These cells are characterized by their granule cell-like appearance and are smaller than traditional neuron types.
• They participate in the autonomic nervous system, influencing involuntary bodily functions.

Types of Nerve Fibers in Sympathetic Ganglia

• Sympathetic ganglia primarily contain autonomic postganglionic nerve fibers, which are typically unmyelinated.
• These fibers are responsible for transmitting signals that regulate involuntary actions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.
• Fibers in sympathetic ganglia can be classified as adrenergic or cholinergic based on their neurotransmitter usage.

Location of Cell Bodies of Nerve Cells

• The cell bodies of nerve cells are located in various regions depending on the type of neuron.
• In sensory neurons, cell bodies are located in the dorsal root ganglia outside the spinal cord.
• In motor neurons, cell bodies reside in the anterior horn of the spinal cord or within specific nuclei of the brainstem.

Test your knowledge of nervous tissue with this quiz covering nerve cells and ganglia. Topics include the structure and occurrence of nerve cells in the grey matter of the central nervous system, eye, and ear, as well as the characteristics of spinal ganglia.