MeSH Browser

MeSH Heading: Astrocytes
Tree Number(s): A08.637.200; A11.650.200
Unique ID: D001253
RDF Unique Identifier: http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D001253
Scope Note: A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from star cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with end feet which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and reactive astrocytes (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury.
Entry Term(s): Astroglia; Astroglia Cells; Astroglial Cells
NLM Classification #: WL 101
Previous Indexing: Neuroglia (1966-1974)
See Also: Blood-Brain Barrier
Public MeSH Note: 79; was see under NEUROGLIA 1963-78
Online Note: search NEUROGLIA 1966-74
History Note: 79(75); was see under NEUROGLIA 1963-78
Date Established: 1979/01/01
Date of Entry: 1999/01/01
Revision Date: 2020/01/16

Allowable Qualifiers: chemistry (CH)

classification (CL)

cytology (CY)

drug effects (DE)

enzymology (EN)

immunology (IM)

metabolism (ME)

microbiology (MI)

parasitology (PS)

pathology (PA)

physiology (PH)

radiation effects (RE)

transplantation (TR)

ultrastructure (UL)

virology (VI)

Concept UI: M0001890
Scope Note: A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from star cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with end feet which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and reactive astrocytes (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury.
Terms: Astrocytes Preferred Term
Term UI T003750
Date01/01/1999
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (1975); Astroglia Cells
Term UI T000999263
Date11/22/2019
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (2021); Astroglial Cells
Term UI T000999262
Date11/22/2019
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (2021); Astroglia
Term UI T003751
Date08/27/1992
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (1994)

Astrocytes MeSH Descriptor Data 2024