Introduction to glial development and functions - Vocabulary Flashcards (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the glial development and function lecture notes to support exam preparation.

Glial cells

Non-neuronal cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, insulate, and defend neurons; essential for development, synaptic function, and disease.

Macroglia

Large glial cells including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells; provide structural support and myelination.

Astrocyte

CNS glial cell that maintains the blood–brain barrier, regulates ions and nutrients, clears neurotransmitters, and participates in scar formation.

Oligodendrocyte

CNS glial cell that myelinates axons; derived from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) that express markers such as NG2.

Schwann cell

PNS myelinating glial cell derived from neural crest; supports repair after injury and can be myelinating or non-myelinating.

Microglia

CNS resident immune cells that remove debris and pathogens by phagocytosis; origin from mesoderm/yolk sac.

Ependymal cells

Glial cells lining brain ventricles and the spinal cord central canal; assist in producing and monitoring cerebrospinal fluid.

Satellite cells

Glial cells surrounding neuron cell bodies in ganglia; regulate oxygen, CO2, nutrients, and neurotransmitter levels.

Neuroepithelium

Early neural progenitor layer that generates neurons and glia, giving rise to radial glia.

Radial glial cell

Glial progenitor with somata in the ventricular zone; scaffolds neuronal migration and gives rise to neurons and glia.

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) / NG2 cell

Progenitor that differentiates into oligodendrocytes; retains the NG2 marker.

O2A progenitor

Progenitor capable of giving rise to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes; identity shaped by encounter with regional signals.

Protoplasmic astrocyte

Astrocyte subtype found in gray matter with ramified processes.

Fibrous astrocyte

Astrocyte subtype found in white matter with long, straight processes.

Bergmann cells

Specialized astrocytes in the cerebellum involved in support and signaling.

Müller cells

Specialized retinal glia that span the retina and support retinal neurons.

Blood–brain barrier (BBB)

Physiological barrier formed by tight junctions in CNS endothelium with glial regulation to protect the brain environment.

Neurogenesis

Generation of new neurons; in adults occurs in regions like the hippocampus (dentate gyrus) and olfactory bulb via staged progenitor divisions.

Rostral migratory stream (RMS)

Migration pathway from the subventricular zone to the olfactory bulb for new neurons.

Dentate gyrus

Part of the hippocampus where adult hippocampal neurogenesis occurs.

Nestin

Intermediate filament protein used as a neural stem/progenitor cell marker in development and adult neurogenesis studies.

GFAP

Glial fibrillary acidic protein; an astrocyte marker, with regional/age-related expression patterns.

S100β

Astrocyte-associated calcium-binding protein; marker used to identify astrocyte populations.

Neuroglia (glia)

Historical term for glial cells; collectively support and interact with neurons.

Rio-Hortega classification

Pío del Río–Hortega’s four glial types: protoplasmic glia, neuroglia, mesoblastic microglia, and interfascicular glia (oligodendrocytes).

Virchow’s glial naming

Rudolf Virchow coined the term glia (glue) and later neuroglia, contributing to the historical framing of glial cells.

O2A to astrocytes/oligodendrocytes

Concept describing a key progenitor stage capable of becoming either astrocytes or oligodendrocytes during development.

Demyelinating diseases

Disorders characterized by loss or damage of myelin (e.g., multiple sclerosis), impacting signal conduction.