Astrocytes (from Ancient Greek ἄστρον, ástron, "star" and κύτος, kútos, "cavity", "cell"), also known collectively as astroglia, are characteristic star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Oct 12, 2023 · Astrocytes are star-shaped cells found in the brain. Similarly to other neuronal cells, astrocytes are comprised of synapses, or cell ends that allow for chemical and electrical communication between cells.

May 1, 2023 · Astrocytes are a subtype of glial cells that make up the majority of cells in the human central nervous system (CNS). They perform metabolic, structural, homeostatic, and neuroprotective tasks such as clearing excess neurotransmitters, stabilizing and regulating the blood-brain barrier, and promoting synapse formation.

Dec 5, 2024 · Astrocytes are responsible for a wide range of functions, surpassing other glial cells in both numbers and capabilities. This article aims to provide an overview of the basic structural and functional characteristics of astrocytes and to explain their interactions with other cells in …

Feb 27, 2025 · Astrocyte, star-shaped cell that is a type of neuroglia found in the nervous system in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Astrocytes can be subdivided into fibrous and protoplasmic types. Learn more about astrocytes, including their structure and function.

Astrocytes are specialized glial cells that outnumber neurons by over fivefold. They contiguously tile the entire central nervous system (CNS) and exert many essential complex functions in the healthy CNS.

Astrocytes express several types of K + channels with distinct voltage dependence, which covers the whole range of physiological membrane potentials.

Apr 12, 2021 · Astrocytes perform core homeostatic functions in the brain. They are an integral part of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), where they not only sense and respond to peripheral insults, such as inflammation, but also take up metabolites to fuel the brain.

Astrocytes are a population of cells with distinctive morphological and functional characteristics that differ within specific areas of the brain. Postnatally, astrocyte progenitors migrate to reach their brain area and related properties.

May 10, 2024 · Astrocytes are star-shaped cells found in the brain and spinal cord that play crucial roles in supporting and nourishing neurons. They help regulate the chemical environment of the brain, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and provide structural support to neurons.