CNS Histology 1
CNS Histology 1
CNS Histology 1
Fibrous astrocytes.
They are more prevalent in the gray matter of
the brain.
These astrocytes have numerous, short,
branching cytoplasmic processes.
Protoplasmic astrocytes
They are more common in the inner core of the
brain (i.e. white matter).
These astrocytes have fewer processes, and
they are relatively straight.
Fibrous astrocytes
Both types of astrocytes contain prominent
bundles of intermediate filaments composed of
glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The
filaments are more numerous in fibrous
astrocytes.
Antibodies to GFAP are used as specific stains
to identify astrocytes in sections and tissue
cultures.
1. Astrocytes play important roles in the
movement of metabolites and wastes to and
from neurons.
2. They help maintain the tight junctions of the
capillaries that form the blood–brain barrier.
3. Astrocytes provide a covering for the “bare
areas” of myelinated axons (at the nodes of
Ranvier and at synapses).
4. They may confine neurotransmitters to the
synaptic cleft and remove excess
neurotransmitters by pinocytosis.
5. Protoplasmic astrocytes on the brain and
spinal cord surfaces extend their processes
(subpial feet) to the basal lamina of the pia
mater to form the glia limitans, a relatively
impermeable barrier surrounding the CNS.
6. Astrocytes modulate neuronal activities by
buffering the potassium concentration in
the extracellular space of the brain.
Oligodendrocytes produce and maintain the
myelin sheath in the CNS.
Central canal
Nuclei of
Neuroglial
cells
Nissl bodies
Neuropil
Silver stain Toluidine blue stain
Summary
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