What are ependymal cells | Here is the Interesting Quick Overview.

Ependymal cells are a type of brain cells. With in the central nervous system, there are glial cells that are commonly known as the glue of the brain. There are five types of glial cells in the brain and ependymal is one of the types of five.

The other four types of glial cells are astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and schwanna cells.

For now, we’ll be focusing on ependymal cells. These are small and ovoid (oval-shaped) cells in the brain that secrets CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid). CSF serves in 4 different ways as it acts as:

1. Shock absorber for the brain.
2. It provides a medium with which waste products are eliminated.
3. It helps in maintaining a constant normal temperature.
4. It serves as a source of nutrients for the brain

Most importantly, ependymal cells line the ventricles in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. These cells are simple columnar epithelial-like cells with their edges covered with the cilia, these cilia help to circulate the CSF around the central nervous system.

What is the function of ependymal cell

Ependymal cells function is to provide insulation, nutrition, and support that aids in repairing neurons. They also eliminates waste products and serves the first line of viral defense for the brain to protect against viral infections.

1. The ependyma can also be called tanycyte which plays a very vital role in the transportation of the hormones in the brain, also, it lines the floor of the ventricles in the brain.
2. Ependymal cells make up the epithelial layer in the brain surrounding choroids present in the lateral ventricles in the Cerebro-hemisphere.
3. The ependyma possesses cilia on its surface as You can see in the picture above, that cilia influence the CSF flow and help in neuro signal transmission distribution to neuro channel.

What is Ependyma?

Ependyma is the sheath that lines the central canal of the spinal cord and also lines the ventricles inside the brain. It is made of by joining many of ependymal cells. There are five types of neuroglial in the brain and ependyma is one of them. There are many functions of it, as mentioned above.

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