MT 30 – CC
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“Nervous Tissue in a Nutshell”

The nervous tissue coordinates signals to control body functions. It is made up of glial cells and neurons, feeds neurons with nutrients and helps transmit nerve impulses. This tissue quickly conveys stimuli throughout the body and is mostly found in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Nervous tissue is organized around neurons that transmit signals through axons. Cell bodies in this tissue comprise organelles, cytoplasm, and nuclei. Highly branched projections called dendrites use synapses to transfer information from other neurons to the cell body. Neurons have unidirectional signal flow, with signals traveling from dendrites through the cell body and down the axon.
Both the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which regulates physiological functions and activities, and the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, are permeated by neural tissue. It is distinguished by the existence of glial cells and neurons as well as specific structures like synapses, which are axonal terminals. Neurons are unreplaceable and are essential for producing nerve impulses and neurotransmitters, which excite other neurons.

Nervous tissue’s main purposes are to produce and transmit nerve impulses, react to stimuli, communicate, and provide insulation. By releasing chemical neurotransmitters, neurons perform electrical transmission that enables intercellular communication and the transfer of messages from other neurons to the cell body.