saltatory conduction

Introduction

from the Latin saltare, to leap or hop

Action potentials are transmitted along myelinated axons by saltatory conduction, leaps or hops. Because the myelin shealth insulates the axonal membrane from electrical currents, the axons depolarize only at the nodes of Ranvier. This phenomenon gives rise the much faster saltatory conduction in myelinated axons vs unmyelinated axons & conserves energy by diminishing the amount of Na+ & K+ to pump in re-establishing the membrane potential.

More general terms

• neuroscience