1.
[syn: neuroglia, glia]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Neuroglia \Neu*rog"li*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ney^ron ligament +
gli`a glue.] (Anat.)
The delicate connective tissue framework which supports the
nervous matter and blood vessels of the brain and spinal
cord; called also K["o]lliker's reticulum. It is composed
of cells which are not neurons. Once thought to serve merely
a supporting funciton, they are now believed to have
important metablolic functions. Among them are the
astrocytes, ependymal cells, oligodendroglia cells, and
microglia cells. --Stedman.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
neuroglia
n 1: sustentacular tissue that surrounds and supports neurons in
the central nervous system; glial and neural cells together
compose the tissue of the central nervous system [syn:
neuroglia, glia]