Relating to or containing astrocytes, which are star-shaped cells in the brain and nervous system that support neurons.
From astrocyte (astro- meaning star-shaped, plus -cyte meaning cell) with the adjective suffix -ic. Astrocytes were named for their distinctive radiating, star-like appearance.
Astrocytes were named by scientists literally because they look like stars under a microscope—they have arms reaching out in all directions, which is why it's one of the few scientific names that's also poetic.
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