Neuroglia or glial cells are the "nerve glue" that provides a support network for the central nervous system and can be thought of as neural connective tissue.
Glial cells can be subclassified as:
- Oligodendroglia: Primarily responsible for producing the myelin sheath surrounding axons in the central nervous system (CNS).
- Astroglia (astrocytes): Primarily responsible for scar formation after injury.
- Microglia: Phagocytic cells primarily responsible for the active immune defense of the CNS.
- Ependymal cells: Cells that line the spinal canal.