Glial Cells of the Nervous System

Astrocytes

-Starlike shaped cell

-Forms blood brain barrier

-Structural support

-Replaces damaged neurons and fills space

-Assists in neuronal development

-CNS

Microglial cells

-Small but slender cell, branches from cell body

-Defends against pathogens

-Removes debris

-Phagocytizes wastes

-CNS

Ependymal cells

-Simple cuboidal epithelial cell lining cavities in brain and spinal cord

-Cilia on apical surface

-Lines ventricles of CNS

-Production and circulation of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)

Oligodendrocytes

-Wraps around axons of the neuron

-Myelinates and insulates CNS axons

-Allows faster nerve impulse conduction through the action

Satellite cells

-Flattened cell clustered around neuronal cells bodies in a ganglion

-Protects and regulates nutrients for cell bodies in ganglia

-PNS

Neurolemmocytes

-Wraps around the axon of a neuron

-Myelinates and insulates PNS axons

-Allows for faster nerve impulse conduction through the axon