Nerve tissue

Nerve Tissue

Nerve tissue is one of the four main types of tissue in the body, along with epithelial tissue, connective tissue, and muscle tissue. It is the main component of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Nerve tissue is responsible for sensing stimuli and transmitting signals to and from different parts of an organism.

Structure

Nerve tissue is primarily composed of neurons, specialized cells that can transmit nerve impulses, and neuroglia, which provide support functions for the neurons. Neurons have several parts including a cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and cytoplasm. The dendrites receive signals from other neurons and the axon carries these signals away from the cell body.

Function

The primary function of nerve tissue is to perceive changes in the environment, communicate these changes to other nerve cells, and coordinate the body's response. This is accomplished through the generation and transmission of electrical impulses.

Classification

Nerve tissue can be classified into two main types: central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes all the nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Diseases and Disorders

There are many diseases and disorders that can affect nerve tissue, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, traumatic injuries, infections, and cancers.

See Also

• Neuron
• Nervous system
• Neuroglia