neuroglia

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. ney^ron ligament + gli`a glue. ] (Anat.) The delicate connective tissue framework which supports the nervous matter and blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord; called also Kölliker's reticulum. It is composed of cells which are not neurons. Once thought to serve merely a supporting funciton, they are now believed to have important metablolic functions. Among them are the astrocytes, ependymal cells, oligodendroglia cells, and microglia cells. Stedman. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]