Glia Health Dictionary

Also called neuroglia, this is the specialised connective tissue of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Providing support and nutrition to neurones (see NEURON(E)), glia comprises various cells including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and ependymal cells. There are around ten times as many glial cells as neurons and they form about 40 per cent of the total volume of the brain and spinal cord, playing an essential role in the neurochemical transmission function of neurons (see BRAIN).

(neuroglia) n. the special connective tissue of the central nervous system, composed of different cells, including the *oligodendrocytes, *astrocytes, ependymal cells (see ependyma), and *microglia, with various supportive and nutritive functions. Glial cells outnumber the neurons by between five and ten to one, and make up some 40% of the total volume of the brain and spinal cord. —glial adj.