Myelin Sheath
Definition
The myelin sheath is an insulating layer around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly along the nerve cells.
Analogy
Consider myelin sheath as similar to insulation on electrical wires. Without it, electricity would escape and not reach its intended destination efficiently; similarly, without myelin sheath, neural signals could lose their strength or speed.
Related terms
Schwann Cells: These are like workers who install insulation on wires. Schwann cells produce myelin in peripheral nervous system.
Nodes of Ranvier: These are gaps in myelin sheath along axon which help increase speed at which electric impulses propagate along axon - think about them as boosters or amplifiers for signal transmission.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): This disease damages myelin sheaths around nerves in central nervous system disrupting communication between brain and body, similar to how a damaged insulation would disrupt electricity flow.
"Myelin Sheath" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (9)
What is the function of the myelin sheath?
What is the function of myelin sheath in a neuron?
What function does myelin sheath perform in neuronal communication?
What is the function of myelin sheath in a neuron?
How does myelin sheath function in neural firing?
How does the myelin sheath influence neural firing?
What is the primary function of myelin sheath in a neuron?
Which of following is most likely to occur if the myelin sheath of neurons degrades in a person's nervous system?
What function does Myelin Sheath serve in transmitting neural impulses?
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