(nis'ĕl )

Ger. neurologist, 1860–1919.

N. body A large granular body found in nerve cells. The bodies can be demonstrated by selective staining. They are rough endoplasmic reticulum (with ribosomes) and are the site of protein synthesis. Nissl bodies show changes under various physiological conditions, and in pathological conditions they may dissolve and disappear (chromatolysis). SYN: Nissl granule.

SEE: tigroid bodies..

N. granule Nissl body.