n. one of the cells of the *glia, responsible for producing the *myelin sheaths of the neurons of the central nervous system and therefore equivalent to the *Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves.
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).... glia
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