glial cell

American  

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

noun

glial cells plural

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

---

glial cell Scientific  

/ glē′əl,glī′əl /

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• glial cellular
  adjective
• glial-cell
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• glial cells
  plural

Example Sentences

Myelinated axons make up the “white matter” and neuron and glial cell bodies make up the “gray matter.”

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

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

Also found in CNS tissue is the oligodendrocyte, sometimes called just “oligo,” which is the glial cell type that insulates axons in the CNS.

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