Skip to main content

Medical Subject Headings (thesaurus)

Search from vocabulary

Concept information

Cells > Neuroglia > Astrocytes
Nervous System > Neuroglia > Astrocytes

Preferred term

Astrocytes  

Type

  • mesh:Descriptor

Definition

  • A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from "star" cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with "end feet" which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and "reactive astrocytes" (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury.

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • Astroglia
  • Astroglia Cells
  • Astroglial Cells

In other languages

URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/JVR-D3W2HJGN-V

Download this concept:

RDF/XML TURTLE JSON-LD Created 1/1/99, last modified 1/16/20