myelination

Introduction

Ensheathing of axons with myeline by oligodendrocytes within the central nervous system (CNS) or schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system.

The myelin insulates the axon inhibiting the flow of electric charge across the axonal membrane except at breaks in the myelin sheath (node of Ranvier). This results in a much faster saltatory axonal conduction of action potentials.

Additional terms

• myelin
• myelin sheath