星形胶质细胞是中枢神经系统的重要组成细胞。在人类大脑的全部细胞中，星形胶质细胞所占比例可达20%～30%。数量众多的星形胶质细胞具有与其所占比例相对应的重要生理功能，例如为神经元供能、调控神经系统的离子和代谢平衡，以及维持大脑与血脑屏障结构等。除此之外，越来越多的研究表明，星形胶质细胞非常主动地参与到神经系统的发育、成熟和病理过程中。本文对星形胶质细胞的起源、生理功能及其在神经系统疾病研究中的进展进行综述。

Astrocytes are important components of the central nervous system, which account for about 20%-30% of the total cells in the human brain. A large number of astrocytes have important physiological functions corresponding to their proportion, such as providing nutrients for neurons, regulating ionic and metabolic balance in the nervous system, and maintaining the structures of the brain and blood-brain-barrier. Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that astrocytes are actively involved in the development, maturation and pathological processes of the nervous system. This review gives a brief overview of the evolution and physiological functions of astrocytes, and the progress in the research of nervous system diseases.