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Human Body Study

Nervous Tissue

The communication tissue — it generates and transmits electrical signals. It makes up the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

The four tissue types in a generalized organ wall A layered cross-section showing the four tissue types stacked as they combine to build an organ. Each label links to the article for that type: epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous tissue. basement membrane a generalized organ wall free surface Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Muscle tissue Nervous tissue The four tissue types, layered as they combine to build an organ — schematic, not to scale.

Two cell types

Section titled “Two cell types”
  • Neurons — the signaling cells; they receive, process, and transmit electrical impulses.
  • Glia (neuroglia) — support cells that nourish, insulate, protect, and clean up around neurons; they greatly outnumber the signaling cells.

What it does

Section titled “What it does”
  • Senses — converts stimuli into electrical signals.
  • Processes — integrates information and forms responses.
  • Transmits — carries signals rapidly between body regions.

Key idea

Section titled “Key idea”

Nervous tissue trades durability for speed: highly specialized and fast, but with limited ability to repair itself. See also the nervous system.