astrocyte

American  

[as-truh-sahyt] / ˈæs trəˌsaɪt /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a star-shaped neuroglial cell of ectodermal origin.

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astrocyte British  

/ ˈæstrəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. any of the star-shaped cells in the tissue supporting the brain and spinal cord (neuroglia)

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astrocyte Scientific  

/ ăs′trə-sīt′ /

1. A star-shaped cell, especially one of the glial cells that support the tissue of the central nervous system.

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Other Word Forms

• astrocytic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of astrocyte

First recorded in 1895–1900; astro- + -cyte

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

astrocyte

If researchers eventually learn how to selectively activate these repair mechanisms, they may be able to promote more effective restoration of damaged brain tissue, rebuild astrocyte networks, and improve recovery from certain brain disorders.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

These cells gather around the edges of damaged brain regions and help rebuild the lost astrocyte network.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

When astrocyte signaling was disrupted, neurons struggled to form the normal activity patterns linked to fear.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 4, 2026

His team is also studying how astrocyte CCN1 may influence inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases and aging.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2026

When the team administered the S3QEL compound to mice engineered to model frontotemporal dementia, they observed reduced astrocyte activation, lower levels of inflammatory gene expression, and a decrease in a tau modification linked to dementia.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2025