Astrocytes (also known as Astrocyte, Astroglia Cells): 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 w

NIH MeSH · D001253Anatomy

Astrocytes

Also known asAstrocyte · Astroglia Cells · Astroglia Cell · Cell, Astroglia · Astroglial Cells · Astroglial Cell · Cell, Astroglial · Astroglia · Astroglias

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.

MeSH classification

  • A08.637.200
  • A11.650.200

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Common questions about Astrocytes

What does Astrocytes mean in medicine?
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. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Astrocytes known by any other names?
Yes. Astrocytes is also referred to as Astrocyte, Astroglia Cells, Astroglia Cell, Cell, Astroglia in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Astrocytes sit in the medical classification?
Astrocytes falls under the broader medical category "Anatomy" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: A08.637.200, A11.650.200). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Astrocytes?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D001253) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗