7. Nerve cells and their connections
7. Nerve cells and their connections
- Gillian Pocock, Gillian PocockSenior Lecturer in Clinical Science, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
- Christopher D. RichardsChristopher D. RichardsEmeritus Professor of Experimental Physiology, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- and David A. RichardsDavid A. RichardsAssociate Professor, Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Husson University School of Pharmacy, Bangor, Maine, USA
Abstract
This chapter examines the nervous system. The nervous system is adapted to provide rapid and discrete signalling over long distances. It is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) comprising the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system comprising the peripheral nerves, the enteric nervous system, and autonomic nervous system. The chapter describes the two main types of cells that make up the nervous system: the nerve cells or neurons and the satellite cells. The chapter clarifies that the satellite cells in the brain and spinal cord are called glial cells or neuroglia, while elsewhere they have different names, such as Schwann cells, Müller cells, or pituicytes. The neurons are the fast-signalling elements of the nervous system.
