astrocyte

[ as-truh-sahyt ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a star-shaped neuroglial cell of ectodermal origin.

astrocyte

/ ˈæstrəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. any of the star-shaped cells in the tissue supporting the brain and spinal cord (neuroglia)

astrocyte

/ ăs′trə-sīt′ /

1. A star-shaped cell, especially one of the glial cells that support the tissue of the central nervous system.

Other Words From

• as·tro·cyt·ic [as-tr, uh, -, sit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrocyte¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; astro- + -cyte

Example Sentences

Now, researchers at Tohoku University have monitored astrocyte activity using fluorescence calcium sensors, discovering that astrocyte activity starts approximately 20 seconds before the onset of epileptic neuronal hyperactivity.

From Science Daily

Windham and Cohen hypothesize that the altered composition of the lipid droplets could be causing astrocyte dysfunction and affecting the microglia's ability to clear amyloid beta.

From Science Daily

The researchers first identified that CDKL5 is active in nerve cells in mice but not in another type of brain cell called an astrocyte.

From Science Daily

Lactate is typically shuttled from astrocyte cells and into neurons by the protein MCT2.

From Nature

This triggered conversion of all three types of astrocyte to neurons.

From Nature