noun
- Star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord that provide structural support, nutrients, and insulation to neurons.
Usage: plural form of astrocyte; technical/scientific term; commonly used in neuroscience and medical contexts
Examples
- Astrocytes make up about half of the cells in the brain.
- These astrocytes help regulate the chemical environment around neurons.
- Damage to astrocytes can impair brain function and contribute to neurological diseases.
- Researchers studied how astrocytes respond to injury in the spinal cord.
- Astrocytes form a network that supports and protects nerve cells.
- The astrocytes in the brain's white matter facilitate communication between neurons.