Astrocytes (from ancient Greek ἄστρον, ástron, "celebrity" + κÏτος, okútos, "hollow space", "mobile"), also known together as astroglia, are feature star-fashioned glial cells inside the mind and spinal wire. They perform many features, including biochemical aid of endothelial cells that form the blood–brain barrier, provision of nutrients to the apprehensive tissue, protection of extracellular ion stability and a position in the repair and scarring manner of the mind and spinal twine following traumatic accidents. the share of astrocytes in the brain isn't properly described; depending at the counting technique used, research have observed that the astrocyte proportion varies by way of region and ranges from 20% to forty% of all glia. Research for the reason that mid-Nineteen Nineties has shown that astrocytes propagate intercellular Ca2+ waves over lengthy distances in reaction to stimulation, and, similar to neurons, launch transmitters (known as gliotransmitters) in a Ca2+-based manner. information endorse that astrocytes also signal to neurons through Ca2+-structured release of glutamate. Such discoveries have made astrocytes an important area of studies within the discipline of neuroscience.