Neuroglial Cells types and Functions.
What
are glial cells?
Glial
cells or glial cells or neuroglia, are cell which are non-neuronal and are situated
within the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
Glia
means “neural glue” were thought to be involved in providing just structural support.
Recent studies revealed that these non-neuronal cells play a major role in proper
functioning of the brain.
Difference
between Neuron and glial cells
Glial
cells are present in both central nervous system (CNS) and Peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Glial cells in central
nervous system (CNS)
Astrocytes
(Astroglia): star-shaped
cells that maintains neurons working environment
Functions
- providing
nutrients to the neurons - control
the blood flow in the brain; act as vaso-modulators. - controlling
the levels of neurotransmitter around synapses - controlling
the concentrations of ions like potassium - formation and maintenance of the blood-brain
barrier - axon synchronization
- providing
metabolic and structural support
Oligodendrocytes
mean “cells with several branches.”
Function:
- Provide
protective insulation (myelin sheath) to neurons in the central nervous system. - Support
the axons of neurons for faster information transfer in the CNS, mainly those
that travel long distances within the brain.
Microglia
Microglia
are small glial cells that acts as brain’s immune cells.
Function:
- They
act as the brain’s own dedicated immune system - Remove
dead neurons and pathogens by phagocytosis - Protects
brains against injury and disease - Involved
in synaptic ‘pruning’ process by eating up tagged unwanted synapses
Ependymal
cells
Cells
that forms the ependyma, the thin membrane lining of the spinal cord and
ventricles of the brain.
Function:
- line
the spinal cord and ventricles of the brain. - involved
in the formation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - formation and maintenance of the blood-brain
barrier
Radial
glia:
Radial
glial cells are progenitor cells or a type of stem cell that can generate
neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
Glial cells in Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Schwann
cells: Cells that myelinate neuron in the
peripheral nervous system, similar to oligodendrocytes in CNS.
Satellite
cells: Cells that surround neurons in the
sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia.
Function
- Helps
to regulate the chemical environment. - Cells
may contribute to chronic pain. - detect and respond to injury and inflammation.
- Helps to transport several neurotransmitters