Glial cell
type of cells in nervous system / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glial cells are support cells for the nervous system. In Greek, Glia means "glue". Glia are said to be the glue of the nervous system.[1] Glia occur in both grey matter and white matter.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Neuroglia.png/320px-Neuroglia.png)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Human_astrocyte.png/640px-Human_astrocyte.png)
Glia are thought to have four main functions:
- To surround neurons and hold them in place,
- To supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons,
- To insulate one neuron from another,
- To destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons.
Glia may have more functions than just these four.[2]