INTRODUCTION TO NERVOUS TISSUE HISTOLOGY

©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.,
Professor of Biology and Chemistry
University of Cincinnati Clermont College,
Batavia OH 45103
Neuron, 400x
This page has been accessed Counter times since 23 December 2002. 
7 January 1992, latest revision 25 Jan 1996, 8 Jan 97, 25 Jan 01, 23 Dec 02
Motor End Plate,
400x


Examine the following slides and identify the listed features. Survey each slide for the best typical field which shows the listed features, and illustrate it at the indicated power, labeling these features. At home, fill in the significance of each feature in a sentence or two. Follow protocol  Notebook Illustrations. (MF 9 th= Eroschenko's 9th Ed)

40x:

100x:

400x:
400x neuron

Slide 1:  Spinalmotor nervecell, ox, hematoxylin-eosin stain (H 1660) 
(MF 9 th , page 89) at 400x:
scan with 4x objective, find a neuron which best shows the following, draw at 400x:

Neuron: the functional unit of nervous system

Identify the following features:
nucleus                                houses genetic material
nucleolus                             synthesizes ribosomal RNA, assembles ribosomes. Prominent in neurons.
Nissl bodies                        rough endoplasmic reticulum (synthesizes protein). Prominent in cytoplasm.
perikaryon                           also known as cell body, equals the area "around the nucleus"
axon hillock                         often tapered, gives rise to the axon, pale or clear due to lack of Nissl bodies
dendrites                             darker stained projection, carries impulses toward cell body. Can be multiple.
axon                                      clearer projection, carries impulses away from cell body
astrocytes                            most common neuroglial cells, support, nourish neurons
microglia cells                      with large nuclei dispersed among astrocytes (scarce), phagocytic


Here is a labeled version of the 400x image of a neuron.


40x:

100x:

400x:
motor end plate

Slide 6:   Motor nerve endings with end plates, snake, AuCl 2 stain (H 1685)
Motor end plates, known also as neuromuscular junctions

(MF 9 th , page 81) at 400x:
 

Identify the following features:
skeletal muscle                    also known as striated muscle, bands of sarcomeres visible
nerve bundle axons            bound together by Schwann cells (not visible)
axon                                      delivers impulses to the motor end plate
motor end plate                   a cluster of synaptic knobs attached to muscle fibers
synaptic knobs                    (or boutons) release acetylcholine, the neuromuscular neurotransmitter



Here is a labeled version of 400x view of a motor end plate.


cut here ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------cut here
 

FOR DAY OF PERIPHERAL NERVES IN THE CAT

Slide 10: Vater-Pacini corpuscles, pancreas, H-eosin (H 1688)
Pacinian corpuscles, specialized nerve ending which detects pressure and vibration in an organ. 

(MF 9 th: page 229 and 147) at 100x:

Pacinian corpuscle:
connective tissue capsule
central cavity with numerous lamellae (with flattened nuclei) and naked dendrite
Pancreatic acini