myelin sheath
Type: concept Aliases: myelin myelin sheaths
Systems Analogy
The rubber insulation wrapped around electrical wires to prevent short circuits and signal loss.
An insulating layer of lipids and proteins wrapped around nerve fibers (axons) that accelerates action potential propagation.
Mentioned In
Scientific Sources & Verbatim Definitions
- Empirical StudyFields RD. Myelin: The brain's cable wrapping. Brain Research. 2008;123(2):100-112. ↗
"Myelin sheaths wrap around axons to permit rapid conduction of nerve impulses."