glial cell

American  

[glee-uhl sel, glahy-uhl] / ˈgli əl ˌsɛl, ˈglaɪ əl /

noun

plural

glial cells

1. Anatomy. any of the cells forming the tissue that supports and insulates the neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

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glial cell Scientific  

/ glē′əl,glī′əl /

1. Any of the cells making up the glia, such as the star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

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Other Word Forms

• glial cellular
  adjective
• glial-cell
  adjective

Example Sentences

Our latest research reveals another type of glial cell involved in these “plastic” nervous system changes.

From Scientific American • Mar. 12, 2020

The injuries that trigger epilepsy are often associated with an inflammatory response in the brain, and mounting evidence suggests that astrocytes and other glial cell types are central to this process.

From Nature • Jul. 8, 2014

Myelin, however, is more than just the membrane of the glial cell.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The glial cell is wrapped around the axon several times with little to no cytoplasm between the glial cell layers.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Glial cells play a largely supportive role, protecting and nourishing neurons, but a type of glial cell known as an oligodendrocyte is also responsible for producing myelin.

From Scientific American • Oct. 1, 2012