Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Dec 9.
Published in final edited form as: Transl Neurosci. 2013 Jun 1;4(2):10.2478/s13380-013-0118-1. doi: 10.2478/s13380-013-0118-1

Figure 3. Astrocyte-astrocyte syncytium.

Figure 3

Astrocytes are interconnected via gap junctions formed by clusters of packed connexin (Cx) hemichannels that contribute to form an astrocyte syncytium for the exchange of small molecules (water, glucose, metabolites, second messengers and neurotransmitters) and ions (Ca+2, K+ and Na+) over long distances. Na+ and Ca+2 diffuse through gap junctions in the astrocyte syncytium generating signalling and metabolic waves.