Nerve Cell © Dennis Kunkel

Neurons are the basic unit of nervous tissue. A neuron, or nerve cell, consists of two major parts: a cell body and nerve processes.

The central cell body contains the neuron's nucleus and associated cytoplasm and organelles.

The nerve processes are "finger-like" projections from the cell body that are able to conduct and transmit signals.

There are two types of nerve processes: axons and dendrites. Axons typically carry signals away from the cell body while dendrites typically carry signals toward the cell body.

Learn more about the nervous system, visit:

• Peripheral Nervous System