When a peripheral axon is cut, the cell body of the neuron is capable of regenerating its axon. This is accompanied by chnaged in the neuron known as central chromatolysis 3980 . The cell body swells, the Nissl substance disperses to the periphery, and the nucleus becomes eccentric. These changes are reversible. Chromatolysis may be seen in either the central or peripheral nervous systems, but central axons do not regenerate.
Wallerian degeneration represents the degeneration of axon and myelin distal to a point of injury.
It can be difficult to distinguish from the smaller, more hyperchromatic oligodendrocyte nucleus. This can be done using electron microscopy. EM shows the cell body to be small. Astrocytes Fibrillary astrocytes are present in the white matter. They possess long, thin processes.