What is "neuroglia"

Neuroglia \Neu*rog"li*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ney^ron ligament + gli`a glue.] (Anat.) The delicate connective tissue framework which supports the nervous matter and blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord; called also K["o]lliker'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.
--Stedman.

1867, medical Latin, coined 1853 by German pathologist Ludwig Karl Virchow (1821-1902) from neuro- + Late Greek glia "glue," frim PIE *glei- "to stick together" (see clay).

n. (context cytology English) glial cell

n. 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 [syn: glia]

Glial cells, sometimes called neuroglia or simply glia ( Greek γλία and γλοία "glue"; pronounced in English as either or ), are non- neuronal cells that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the central nervous system, glial cells include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, ependymal cells and microglia, and in the peripheral nervous system glial cells include Schwann cells and satellite cells.

As the Greek name implies, glia are commonly known as the glue of the nervous system; however, this is not fully accurate. Glia were discovered in 1856, by the pathologist Rudolf Virchow in his search for a "connective tissue" in the brain. Neuroscience currently identifies four main functions of glial cells:

1. To surround neurons and hold them in place
2. To supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons
3. To insulate one neuron from another
4. To destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons.

For over a century, it was believed that the neuroglia did not play any role in neurotransmission. However 21st century neuroscience has recognized that glial cells do have some effects on certain physiological processes like breathing, and in assisting the neurons to form synaptic connections between each other.