Glioma
/ɡlaɪˈoʊmə/noun
A tumor arising from glial cells of the central nervous system.
Did you know?The term reflects an old medical idea that glial cells were merely structural “nerve glue,” although modern neuroscience recognizes them as active participants in brain signaling, immunity, and repair.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gley- / *gʰley-
“To stick, cling, or form a viscous binding substance.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
glía (γλία)
“Glue or a sticky substance.”
19th Century
Greek-derived medical Latin
neuroglia
““Nerve glue,” a term for the supporting tissue surrounding nerve cells.”
1863
Medical Latin
glioma
“A tumor associated with glial, or “glue-like,” nervous tissue; the term is associated with Rudolf Virchow’s pathology work.”
19th Century
English
glioma
“A tumor of glial tissue.”
Modern English
English
glioma
“A primary tumor arising from glial cells in the brain or spinal cord.”
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