Definition

Noun: - A type of neuroglial tissue: Astroglia refers to the brain and spinal cord tissue composed predominantly of star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes. These cells provide structural and metabolic support to neurons.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Damage to the astroglia can impair neuronal function.
  • The study focused on the role of astroglia in the central nervous system.

Advanced Usage

• "Reactive astroglia": Refers to astrocytes that have undergone changes in response to injury or disease in the nervous system.
  • The formation of a glial scar involves reactive astroglia.

Variants and Related Words

• Astrocyte (n): The specific type of star-shaped glial cell that constitutes astroglia.
  • Astrocytes are a key component of astroglia.
• Neuroglia (n): The broader category of supportive cells in the nervous system, which includes astroglia.
  • Neuroglia, including astroglia, outnumber neurons in the brain.

Synonyms

• Astrocytic glia: A more specific synonym emphasizing the astrocyte composition.
• Macroglia: A broader term for the larger glial cell types, which includes astroglia.

Noun

1. tissue consisting of large stellate neuroglial cells