How Do You Spell NISSL BODY?

Pronunciation: [nˈɪsə͡l bˈɒdi] (IPA)

The term "Nissl body" is used in neuroscience to describe a specialized structure found within neurons. It is named after German neuropathologist Franz Nissl, who first discovered the structure in the late 19th century. The word "Nissl" is pronounced /ˈnɪsl/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the "s" being voiced. The spelling of this word reflects the pronunciation of its German origin, where the "ss" is pronounced as an unvoiced "s" sound, rather than as a "z" sound as it would be in English.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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NISSL BODY Meaning and Definition

  1. A Nissl body, also known as Nissl substance or Nissl granules, refers to a distinctive feature found within the cells of the central nervous system, particularly in neurons. The term is named after the German neuropathologist, Franz Nissl, who first observed these structures in the late 19th century.

    A Nissl body is a specialized region within neuronal cells that comprises rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), which consists of stacks of flattened sacs called cisternae. This cytoplasmic region contains ribosomes attached to the RER, which are responsible for protein synthesis. Nissl bodies are crucial for the production of proteins necessary for neuronal development and function.

    Under a microscope, Nissl bodies appear as basophilic (darkly stained) granular structures due to their high RNA content. These granules are most prominent in the cell body of the neuron, particularly in the perinuclear region. They form a network of irregularly shaped clusters and extend into dendrites but typically do not extend into the axon. Their distribution and density can vary between different types of neurons and can be affected by factors such as age, disease, and injury.

    Nissl bodies play an essential role in various cellular functions, including neurotransmitter synthesis, protein folding, and providing structural support to neurons. They serve as a key indicator of neuronal health and metabolic activity and are often used in neuropathological studies to assess neuronal damage or degeneration.

Etymology of NISSL BODY

The term "Nissl body" is derived from the name of a German neurologist and neuropathologist named Franz Nissl. He introduced a staining technique known as the Nissl stain, which involves the use of basic dyes to selectively stain the cell bodies of neurons. During his research on the structure of the nervous system, Nissl identified and described structures within the neuron cell bodies that took up the Nissl stain, which became known as "Nissl bodies" in his honor. These structures are now recognized as clusters of rough endoplasmic reticulum in neuronal cell bodies, responsible for protein synthesis.