What is the function of the astrocytes?
Astrocytes are the most numerous cell type within the central nervous system (CNS) and perform a variety of tasks, from axon guidance and synaptic support, to the control of the blood brain barrier and blood flow. To perform these roles, there is a great variety of astrocytes.
What is ependyma tissue?
The ependyma is the thin neuroepithelial (simple columnar ciliated epithelium) lining of the ventricular system of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. The ependyma is one of the four types of neuroglia in the central nervous system (CNS).
What is the function of an ependymal cell?
Ependymal cells form the lining of the ventricular system, including the aqueducts. They are in direct contact with the cerebrospinal fluid and play a role in fluid homeostasis.
What is the function of the choroid plexus in the brain?
The choroid plexus (ChP) is a secretory tissue found in each of the brain ventricles, the main function of which is to produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What are the astrocytes and mention their significance?
Astrocytes are specialized glial cells that outnumber neurons by over fivefold. They contiguously tile the entire central nervous system (CNS) and exert many essential complex functions in the healthy CNS. Transgenic mouse models are dissecting specific aspects of reactive astrocytosis and glial scar formation in vivo.
What is the origin and function of astrocyte?
Astrocytes were first described by Virchow in 1846 and were originally thought to be a homogenous population of cells which function to support neurons [1]. This extensive functional diversity, when coupled with morphological heterogeneity strongly suggests the existence of molecularly distinct sub-types of astrocytes.
Where is the ependyma found?
The ependyma constitute a ciliated epithelium that derives from the neuroepithelium during development and is located at the interface between the brain parenchyma and ventricles in the central nervous system (CNS).
Does ependyma have basement membrane?
Ependymal cells form a continuous epithelial sheet (the ependyma) that lines the ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. These cells are of glial lineage, but have many epithelial characteristics including a basement membrane, cell–cell junctions and motile cilia.
What are Schwann cells and what do they form?
Schwann cells (SCs) are the main glial cells of the peripheral nervous system which wrap around axons of motor and sensory neurons to form the myelin sheath.
What is CSF made from?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless body fluid found within the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord of all vertebrates. CSF is produced by specialised ependymal cells in the choroid plexus of the ventricles of the brain, and absorbed in the arachnoid granulations.
Why is the choroid plexus important?
One of the primary functions is to produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the ependymal cells that line the ventricles of the brain. Secondly, the choroid plexus serves as a barrier in the brain separating the blood from the CSF, known as the blood-CSF barrier.
What causes choroid plexus calcification?
Choroid plexus calcification (CPC) often results from calcium and sometimes iron, and may be physiological or pathological.
