Anatomy

Microglia

The third type of glial cell, along with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (which together form the macroglia). Microglia vary in appearance depending on developmental stage, functional state, and anatomical location; subtype terms include ramified, perivascular, ameboid, resting, and activated. Microglia clearly are capable of phagocytosis and play an important role in a wide spectrum of neuropathologies. They have also been suggested to act in several other roles including in secretion (e.g., of cytokines and neural growth factors), in immunological processing (e.g., antigen presentation), and in central nervous system development and remodeling.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The third type of glial cell, along with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (which together form the macroglia). Microglia vary in appearance depending on developmental stage, functional state, and anatomical location; subtype terms include ramified, perivascular, ameboid, resting, and activated. Microglia clearly are capable of phagocytosis and play an important role in a wide spectrum of neuropathologies. They have also been suggested to act in several other roles including in secretion (e.g., of cytokines and neural growth factors), in immunological processing (e.g., antigen presentation), and in central nervous system development and remodeling.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Microglial Cell
  • Cell, Microglial
  • Microglial Cells
  • Microglias

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

94

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Neuroglia (1966-1993)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A08w.637w.400w
  2. A11w.650w.400w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Microglia. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017628. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017628
  2. Microglia. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microglia
  3. Microglia. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1622829