Neuromorphology

Neuromorphology (pronounced: neuro-morph-ology) is a branch of neuroscience that studies the form and structure of the nervous system. The term is derived from the Greek words neuron meaning "nerve" and morphē meaning "form" or "shape".

Definition

Neuromorphology is concerned with the study of the form and structure of neurons, their connections, and overall organization within the brain and nervous system. It involves the use of various techniques to visualize the neuronal network and understand its function.

History

The study of neuromorphology has its roots in the 19th century with the work of Camillo Golgi and Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who developed staining techniques that allowed for the visualization of individual neurons. This led to the formulation of the neuron doctrine, the concept that the neuron is the fundamental unit of the nervous system.

Techniques

Various techniques are used in neuromorphology, including histology, electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy. More recently, techniques such as two-photon microscopy and optogenetics have been used to study the structure and function of neurons in living animals.

Related Terms

Neuron: The basic working unit of the brain, a specialized cell designed to transmit information to other nerve cells, muscle, or gland cells.
Neuroanatomy: The study of the structure and organization of the nervous system.
Neurophysiology: The study of how the nervous system functions.
Neurobiology: The study of cells of the nervous system and the organization of these cells into functional circuits that process information and mediate behavior.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Neuromorphology
Wikipedia's article - Neuromorphology

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Neuromorphology