Astrocytes anatomy

Reier PJ (1986) Gliosis following CNS injury The anatomy of astrocytic scars and their influences on axonal elongation. Astrocytes 3 263-324. 

Astrocytes have long been considered as structural support cells of the brain. The anatomy of brain microvasculature shows that astrocytic end feet constitute an envelope around blood vessels (Kacem et al., 1998). Astrocytic processes are positioned beneath the pial membrane and the ependymal surface and thereby segregate the CNS parenchyma from external environment (Figure 8.1). The cytoplasmic processes of astrocytes form a close network around the synaptic complex and maintain synaptic integrity (Newman, 2003). 

Abbott, N.J. (2002) Astrocyte-endotheUal interactions and blood—brain barrier permeability. Journal of Anatomy, 200, 629-638. 

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