126 



PHYSIOLOGY OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



Fig. 56. Golgi cell (second type). 

 The axon, a, divides into a number of 

 fine branches. (From Obersteiner, after 

 Andriezen.) 



f>, 



most of the conduction from neuron to neuron, along sensory as 

 well as motor paths, is made with the aid of such structures, the 

 dendrites being the receptive or sensory organ and the axon the 

 motor apparatus. 



The Golgi cells of the second type (Fig. 56) are relatively less 

 numerous and important. They are characterized by the fact that 

 the axon process instead of 

 forming a nerve fiber splits 

 into a great number of 

 branches within the gray 

 matter. Assuming that in 

 such cells the distinction be- 

 tween the axon and the den- 

 drites is well made and that 

 as in the other type the 

 dendrites form the receiving 

 and the axon the discharging 

 apparatus, these cells would 

 seem to have a distributive 

 function. The impulse that 

 they receive may be trans- 



Fig. 57. Normal anterior horn cell 

 (Warrington), showing the Nissl granules in the 

 cell and dendrites : a, The axon. 



mitted to one or many neurons. They are sometimes spoken of as 

 intermediate or association cells. 



Internal Structure of the Nerve Cell. Within the body of 

 the nerve cell itself the striking features of physiological significance 

 are, first, the arrangement of the neurofibrils, and, secondly, the 



