Neuroanatomy · Nervous System · Easy

Astrocyte

Meaning: A star-shaped glial cell that supports neurons, regulates the chemical environment and helps form the blood-brain barrier.

In practice: After the head injury, reactive astrocyte proliferation formed a glial scar around the lesion.

Word parts

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Two questions on related neuroanatomy words.

Which word means: Describing the deep sulcus on the medial occipital lobe around which the primary visual cortex is located.

Which word means: Describing the net-like core of neurons running through the brainstem that controls arousal and consciousness.

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.