myelin sheath

American

noun

Anatomy.

a wrapping of myelin around certain nerve axons, serving as an electrical insulator that speeds nerve impulses to muscles and other effectors.

Etymology

Origin of myelin sheath

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, EBV infection has been linked to several diseases, including MS: an incurable, chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body's immune system to attack the myelin sheath of neurons in the brain and nervous system.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

"We know that axons which are regularly stimulated have enhanced myelin sheath thickness," explains Dr. Mihai Stancu, lead author of the paper.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2024

Her treatment involves an infusion every six weeks to help reduce the amount of damage and scarring to the myelin sheath.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2023

Projections from the oligodendrocyte wrap around the axon, forming a myelin sheath.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The myelin sheath is produced by glial cells.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023