Medical Definition of Spider cell
1.
The largest and most numerous neuroglial cells found in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those which form the blood-brain barrier. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and reactive astrocytes (along with microglia) respond to injury. Astrocytes have high-affinity transmitter uptake systems, voltage-dependent and transmitter-gated ion channels.
See: oligodendrocytes.
(18 Nov 2007)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Spider Cell
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