An astrocyte is a star-shaped glial cell found in the central nervous system (CNS) (i.e., the brain and spinal cord). Astrocytes have many long arms or processes and are the largest and most numerous glial cells in the CNS; they outnumber neurons 10 to 1.

 

Astrocytes used to be thought of as mere gap fillers, with neurons responsible for all neurologically significant functions. But medical science now recognizes that astrocytes play a number of important active roles in the CNS. These include:

 

Structural support

Supplying nutrients, such as glucose, to neurons

Blood-brain barrier (BBB). The astrocyte end-feet encircling endothelial cells form part of the BBB

Neurotransmitter reuptake and release

 

An astrocytoma is a tumor that begins in astrocytes.