Radial glial cells

Radial glial cells are bipolar progenitor cells that serve as primary neural stem cells during embryonic CNS development. They span from the ventricular zone to the pial surface, providing a physical scaffold for the radial migration of newborn neurons. They generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Postnatally, most radial glia transform into astrocytes or other resident cells, though some retain stem cell properties in specific niches (e.g., the hippocampus).