The ependyma is the epithelium that lines the ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. Cells forming this epithelium include the ependymal cells, tanycytes, and a few other cells. Ependymal cells are the most numerous and form the epithelial lining of the central canal and ventricular system except for regions in the third ventricle that border the hypothalamus. Tanycytes are found in these areas. A few other cells, such as CSF-contacting neurons, neurosecretory neurons, and glandular epithelial cells, are occasionally seen; they are most frequent in the third ventricle, have been reviewed by Knowles and Anand Kumar (1967), and are not described further here.
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© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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(2009). Ependymal Cells. In: Gliogenesis: Historical Perspectives, 1839–1985. Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology, vol 202. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-87534-5_5
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