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myelin sheath

noun

Definition of myelin sheath

: the insulating covering that surrounds an axon with multiple spiral layers of myelin, that is discontinuous at the nodes of Ranvier, and that increases the speed at which a nerve impulse can travel along an axon

— called also medullary sheath

Examples of myelin sheath in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 In another study, Rathmell and colleagues added dichloroacetate, which suppresses glycolysis, to the drinking water of mice that have a condition that mimics multiple sclerosis, in which the immune system attacks nerves' insulating myelin sheath. — Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, "To treat some diseases, researchers are putting immune cells on a diet," 29 Mar. 2018 The brain is almost 60 percent fat, and each neuron requires a fatty myelin sheath to transmit impulses. — Sophie Weiner, Popular Mechanics, "How Just Two Drops of Organic Mercury Can Destroy Your Brain," 15 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of myelin sheath

1891, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for myelin sheath

myelin sheath

noun

Medical Definition of myelin sheath

: the insulating covering that surrounds an axon with multiple spiral layers of myelin, that is discontinuous at the nodes of Ranvier, and that increases the speed at which a nerve impulse can travel along an axon

— called also medullary sheath

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