Astrocyte diagram (IMAGE)

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University

Astrocyte diagram

Caption

Astrocytes (meaning ‘star-cells’) have a unique morphology. While the internal structure is star-like, tiny protrusions of the cell form a cloud-like region that surround all nearby synapses – the junctions where different neurons meet and communicate. In mice, astrocytes are estimated to be in contact with, and take care of, around 300,000 synapses.

Credit

OIST

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License

CC BY

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