glia/neuroglia

今日の単語もReader's Digest 6月号の脳の記事からです。
Your Brain: Glial Cells
These cell are an essential part of the brain. The word glia means "glue" and they hold the active neurons in place. They also work in multiple ways to keep the whole nervous system healthy. Humans have the most abundant and largest glial cells of any animal.
"glia" についての辞書の説明を見ます。
・Oxford English Dictionary: The connective tissue of the nervous system, consisting of several different types of cell associated with neurons. Also called neuroglia.: These factors play a pivotal role in brain development by direction the formation of neurons and supporting cells called glia from uncommitted progenitor cells.
この手の単語はWikipediaの方が詳しい説明があるのでWikipediaから一部を抜粋します。
As the Greek name implies, glia are commonly known as the glue of the nervous system; however, this is not fully accurate. 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.