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Cortical brain neurons (nerve cells) growing in culture, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Note the large, round, textured, astrocytic glial cell (neuroglial cell). Neuroglia are supporting cells in the nervous system. Neurons have a large cell body with several long processes extending from it, usually one thick axon and several thinner dendrites. The axon carries nerve impulses away from the neuron. Its branching ends make contacts with other neurons and with muscles or glands. The highly branching dendrites receive information from other neurons. This complex network forms the nervous system, which relays information rapidly through the body. Neurons are (also known as nerve cells) are cells of the nervous system that are specialized to carry messages through an electrochemical process. Magnification: x295 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.(KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY SPL/DENNIS KUNKEL MICROSCOPY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)