oligodendrocyte

Term: oligodendrocyte

Origin:

Anc Greek

ολίγος/oligos(=a few)

+δένδρον/dendron(=tree)

+κυτίον/cytion(=box) > cyte=cell

Because of the the cell's projections which looked like the sparse branches of a tree.

 Pio del Rio Hortega(1882-1945)

Definition:
Oligodendrocyte is a type of glial cells in central nervous system.  Its main function is the insulation of axons in some vertebrates by producing the fatty substance myelin. The same function is performed by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system.