astrocyte

[ as-truh-sahyt ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

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

astrocyte

/ ˈæstrəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

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

astrocyte

/ ăs′trə-sīt′ /

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

Other Words From

• as·tro·cyt·ic [as-tr, uh, -, sit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrocyte¹

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

Example Sentences

Despite all the unanswered questions, the possibility that astrocytes play a role in sleep regulation is an exciting discovery that sets the stage for a whole new era of sleep research.

From Popular-Science

In both mouse and human brains, astrocytes send calcium particles to one another to communicate and provide necessary support for neuron activity.

From Popular-Science

That finding on its own wasn’t terribly exciting, since it might have meant that astrocytes simply mirror the behavior of the neurons they support.

From Popular-Science

That’s one explanation for why removing PTB in astrocytes converted them to fully functioning neurons specific to the region.

From Nautilus

It may be that astrocytes are constantly suppressing their development into a neuron with the expression of PTB1.

From Nautilus