macrophage physiology trait glia physiology trait microglial cell physiology trait Any measurable or observable characteristic related to the function of or processes in the small, migratory, phagocytic, interstitial cells derived from myeloid progenitor cells and found in the parenchyma of the central nervous system; microglia are scavengers, engulfing dead cells and other debris, and in Alzheimer's disease, microglia are found associated with dying nerve cells and amyloid plaques. EFO:0010940 Trait.ontology VT:0003691