myelin sheath
Neural fiber coating
The myelin sheath is a protective fatty covering that wraps around nerve fibers, enabling electrical signals to travel quickly through the nervous system.
It works like insulation on a wire.
Diseases that damage the myelin sheath, such as multiple sclerosis, impair nerve function and can cause numbness, weakness, or paralysis.
Neuron's signal-sending projection
- neuronImpulse-conducting cell
- central nervous systemBrain plus spinal cord
- peripheral nervous systemNerves outside brain, cord
- white matterPale neural fiber tissue
neural pathway · nerve fiber · brain · spinal cord · neurotransmission · synapse · dendrite · neuroplasticity
Impulse jumping between myelin gaps
- electrical insulationMaterial blocking current escape
- white matterPale neural fiber tissue
- node of RanvierExposed axon between myelin
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
Autoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- neuropathyDamage to peripheral nerves
- neurodegenerativeCausing brain cell death
- transverse myelitisSpinal cord inflammation across width
- nerve damageInjured neural tissue
lesion · inflammation · autoimmune · progressive · relapsing
axon
Neuron's signal-sending projection
- neuronImpulse-conducting cell
- central nervous systemBrain plus spinal cord
- peripheral nervous systemNerves outside brain, cord
white matter · neural pathway · nerve fiber · brain · spinal cord · neurotransmission · synapse · dendrite · neuroplasticity · nerve impulse
saltatory conduction
Impulse jumping between myelin gaps
- electrical insulationMaterial blocking current escape
- white matterPale neural fiber tissue
- node of RanvierExposed axon between myelin
multiple sclerosis
Autoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- neuropathyDamage to peripheral nerves
- neurodegenerativeCausing brain cell death
- transverse myelitisSpinal cord inflammation across width
nerve damage · lesion · inflammation · autoimmune · progressive · relapsing