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Difference Between Neurons And Neuroglia

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

Difference Between Neurons And Neuroglia: Neurons​ and Neuroglia collectively form the Nervous system of higher vertebrates. The nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating processes in the body. It is ectodermal in origin. Neuroglial cells form more than 50 percent of the nervous system. The major difference between neurons and neuroglial cells is in their structure ure and functions.

Differences Between Neurons and Neuroglial

Features

Neurons

Neuroglia

Function

Conduct and transmit impulses

Provide support, packaging, and repair

Size

Largest cells in the human body

Smaller compared to neurons

Structure

Consist of dendrites, cell body, and axon

Lack of dendrites and axons

Myelin

Can be myelinated or non-myelinated

Myelinated in the central and peripheral nervous system

Types

Apolar, unipolar, bipolar, pseudounipolar, multipolar

Macroglial cells and microglial cells

Origin

Ectodermal

Ectodermal except microglial cells (mesodermal)

Function

Transmit electrical impulses and process information

Provide support, insulation, and immune response

Location

Found throughout the nervous system

Abundant in neural tissue

Communication

Participate in neural communication

Do not directly participate in neural communication

Repair

Limited ability to regenerate

Play a role in the repair of the nervous system

Neurons

Neurons are the structural and also the functional units of the nervous system. They help in the conduction of impulses. They are the largest cells of the human body. A typical neuron is made up of 3 parts:

  • Dendrites: Dendrites are the highly branched structures that receive stimulus
  • Cell body/Cyton/Perikaryon/Soma: It converts stimulus into an electrical impulse. Nissl's granules are present in the cell body and dendrites which help in forming protein. 'Axon hillock', a part of cyton, is a very sensitive region from where the axon starts.
  • Axon: It conducts and transmits impulses. On the axon, Myelin sheath is present which is secreted by Schwann cells and Oligodendrocytes in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system respectively. Myelin sheath is discontinuous and the place where it is absent is called as 'Node of Ranvier'.
👁 Neuron

Neuroglial Cells

Neuroglial cells are non-excitable cells of the nervous system that helps in packaging and support. They also help in providing nutrition, protection, and repair of the nervous system. More than 50% volume of neural tissue is neuroglial cells.

Classification of neuroglial cells

Neuroglial cells are broadly classified into two types namely Microglial cells and Macroglial cells.
Macroglial cells are further divided into four types-

  1. Astrocytes: These are star-shaped cells that form the blood-brain barrier. They act as selectively permeable membrane and allows selective substances to move in the brain and thus prevent infections. They also help in repairing and healing of nervous system.
  2. Ependymal cells: Brush-bordered columnar cells that produce and move cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They also absorb old CSF. They are present in the ventricles of the brain and the Central canal of the spinal cord.
  3. Oligodendrocytes: Oligodendrocytes are responsible for the formation of myelin sheath in neurons of the central nervous system.
  4. Schwann cells: These cells are responsible for the formation of myelin sheath in neurons of the peripheral nervous system.
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