SUSTENTACULAR CELL Meaning and
Definition
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Sustentacular cells are a type of specialized cells found in various tissues and organs throughout the body. These cells have a supportive role and provide structural, nutritional, and functional support to other cells within the tissue or organ.
In the nervous system, sustentacular cells are also known as glial cells. They surround and support neurons, providing them with nutrients and regulating their chemical environment. Sustentacular cells in the nervous system include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells, each performing different functions such as maintaining the blood-brain barrier, myelinating neurons, and aiding in the repair of damaged nerves.
In the testes and ovaries, sustentacular cells, also referred to as Sertoli cells, are responsible for nurturing and supporting developing sperm cells or ova. They provide structural support and create a protective barrier around these germ cells during their development.
In the inner ear, sustentacular cells form part of the supporting tissue of the sensory hair cells responsible for detecting sound and head position. These cells help to maintain the integrity and position of the hair cells to ensure proper sensory function.
Overall, sustentacular cells play crucial roles in supporting the proper functioning and development of various cell types within different tissues and organs of the body.
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One of the ordinary elongated cells, resting on the basement membrane, which surround and serve as a support to the shorter specialized cells in certain organs, such as the labyrinth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SUSTENTACULAR CELL
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Etymology of SUSTENTACULAR CELL
The word "sustentacular" comes from the Latin word "sustentare", which means "to sustain", and the suffix "-cular", meaning "related to" or "pertaining to". The term "sustentacular cell" is used in biology to refer to a type of cell that provides structural support or sustenance to other cells or tissues. The term is primarily used in the context of the nervous system, where sustentacular cells are found in various locations, such as the testes, olfactory epithelium, and inner ear, serving different functions in each location.
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