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.
グリアは神経細胞を支えている。
Glia support neurons.
Explicitly says 'glial cells', often used when distinguishing from neurons.
脳にはグリア細胞がたくさん存在する。
There are many glial cells in the brain.
The formal Japanese term, used in older or very formal medical texts.
神経膠細胞は中枢神経系に存在する。
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.
アストロサイトは血液脳関門を形成する。
Astrocytes form the blood-brain barrier.
Oligodendrocyte, which forms myelin in the central nervous system.
オリゴデンドロサイトは軸索を髄鞘で包む。
Oligodendrocytes wrap axons with myelin.
Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system.
ミクログリアは脳内の免疫を担当する。
Microglia are responsible for immunity in the brain.
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.