Which among the following tissue is found in the brain and spinal cord?

Appeared in: WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

The brain and spinal cord together form the Central Nervous System (CNS).
The fundamental tissue of the CNS is nervous tissue, which is specialized for generating and transmitting electrical impulses for communication.
Nervous tissue is composed of two main cell types: neurons (the primary signaling cells) and neuroglia (the supporting cells that protect, nourish, and support neurons).

Option B: Epithelial tissue's main function is to cover body surfaces and line internal cavities. It is not the primary functional tissue of the brain's parenchyma.
Option C: Muscle tissue is specialized for contraction to produce movement. It is not a structural or functional component of the brain and spinal cord.
Option D: While connective tissue (the meninges) provides a protective covering for the brain and spinal cord, the functional tissue within these organs is nervous tissue.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the primary tissue type in the central nervous system as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding that the CNS is made of nervous tissue is fundamental to neurology. Diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (damage to myelin in nervous tissue) or Alzheimer's disease (loss of neurons) directly affect this tissue, leading to severe functional deficits.
What if? If a patient is diagnosed with meningitis, the inflammation is not in the nerve tissue itself, but in the meninges—the connective tissue layers that protect the brain and spinal cord. This highlights the distinct roles of different tissues within the same anatomical region.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key anatomical structures in the question: 'brain' and 'spinal cord'.
Recognize that the brain and spinal cord together constitute the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Recall the four basic types of tissues in the human body: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.
Associate the primary function of the CNS (processing information, communication, and control) with the specialized tissue responsible for it.
Select 'Nerve tissue' as it is uniquely adapted for transmitting electrical signals, which is the core function of the brain and spinal cord.
Eliminate the other options by considering their main functions: epithelial (covering), muscle (movement), and connective (support and binding).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of the primary tissue type in the central nervous system.
Stem keywords: tissue, brain, spinal cord
Lead-in keywords: Which among the following

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E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e pp. 407-409, 400-402, 403-405

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.