Glia is the term used for supporting tissues and cells of the nervous system. These tissues are responsible for a variety of functions in the brain. These functions together are often known as housekeeping functions. There main functions are reaction to injury, regulation of chemical composition of the neurons by supplying the essential nutrients and oxygen, insulating neurons from one another and by removing dead tissues and cells. Glia is more of an informal name. It is also known as glial cells or neuroglia. Glia also has the responsibility of maintaining homeostasis within the body and producing myelin. Thus it is often also called as the 'glue' of the nervous system. There are two types of glia i.e. Microglia and macroglia. These cells were first discovered by a pathologist named Rudolf Virchow in 1865.
