<Tr> <Th> FMA </Th> <Td> 54541 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Anatomical terms of microanatomy (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> Neuroglia, also called glial cells or simply glia, are non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system . They maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons . In the central nervous system, glial cells include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, ependymal cells and microglia, and in the peripheral nervous system glial cells include Schwann cells and satellite cells . They have four main functions: (1) To surround neurons and hold them in place (2) To supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons (3) To insulate one neuron from another (4) To destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons . They also play a role in neurotransmission and synaptic connections, and in physiological processes like breathing, . </P> <P> Glia were discovered in 1856, by the pathologist Rudolf Virchow in his search for a "connective tissue" in the brain . The term derives from Greek γλία and γλοία "glue" (/ ˈɡliːə / or / ˈɡlaɪə /), and suggests the original impression that they were the glue of the nervous system . </P>

The supportive cells of the nervous system are called