neuroglia

noun

The supportive tissue of the nervous system, including the network of branched cells in the central nervous system (astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes) and the supporting cells of the peripheral nervous system (Schwann cells and satellite cells).

noun

The peculiar sustentacular tissue of the cerebrospinal axis.

noun

The delicate connective tissue framework which supports the nervous matter and blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord; called also Kölliker’s reticulum. It is composed of cells which are not neurons. Once thought to serve merely a supporting funciton, they are now believed to have important metablolic functions. Among them are the astrocytes, ependymal cells, oligodendroglia cells, and microglia cells.

noun

glial cell

noun

sustentacular tissue that surrounds and supports neurons in the central nervous system; glial and neural cells together compose the tissue of the central nervous system