Translation guide
A type of cell in the nervous system that supports and protects neurons. In Japanese, the term is usually expressed with the loanword グリア or the full term 神経膠細胞.
The learner wants to refer to glial cells in a scientific or medical context.
The most common and concise term, used widely in neuroscience.
Glia support neurons.
Explicitly says 'glial cells', often used when distinguishing from neurons.
There are many glial cells in the brain.
The formal Japanese term, used in older or very formal medical texts.
Glial cells are present in the central nervous system.
The learner wants to refer to a specific type of glial cell, such as astrocytes or oligodendrocytes.
Astrocyte, a star-shaped glial cell.
Astrocytes form the blood-brain barrier.
Oligodendrocyte, which forms myelin in the central nervous system.
Oligodendrocytes wrap axons with myelin.
Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system.
In modern Japanese scientific writing, the loanword グリア is standard. The full term 神経膠細胞 is understood but sounds dated or overly formal. Stick to グリア or グリア細胞 for most purposes.
Microglia are responsible for immunity in the brain.