dictionary help| myelin sheath | medical dictionary |
<anatomy, neurology> An insulating layer surrounding vertebrate peripheral neurones, that dramatically increases the speed of conduction. It is formed by specialised Schwann cells, that can wrap around neurones up to 50 times. The exposed areas are called nodes of Ranvier: they contain very high densities of sodium channels and action potentials jump from one node to the next, without involving the intermediate axon, a process known as saltatory conduction.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
myelin protein A1, myelin proteins, myelin proteolipid protein < Prev | Next > myelitic, myelitis, myelitis, transverse
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