Myelinated
Myelinated
Myelinated (/maɪˈɛlɪneɪtɪd/), derived from the Greek words "myelo" meaning marrow and "ina" meaning fiber, refers to nerve fibers that are covered with a protective sheath, known as myelin. Myelinated fibers are a crucial component of the nervous system, as they enhance the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission along the neuron.
Etymology
The term "myelinated" is derived from the Greek words "myelo" (marrow) and "ina" (fiber). It was first used in the mid-19th century to describe the white, fatty substance that forms a sheath around certain nerve fibers.
Function
Myelinated fibers play a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system. The myelin sheath that covers these fibers acts as an insulator, preventing electrical signals from dispersing out of the nerve fiber. This allows for faster and more efficient transmission of electrical signals along the neuron, which is essential for the rapid communication between different parts of the body.
Related Terms
- Myelin: The protective sheath that covers myelinated fibers.
- Neuron: A nerve cell that transmits electrical signals.
- Nervous System: The network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits signals between different parts of the body.
- Axon: The long, threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
See Also
- Demyelination: The loss or damage of the myelin sheath of a nerve, often resulting in neurological problems.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic disease that involves damage to the myelin sheaths in the central nervous system.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Myelinated
- Wikipedia's article - Myelinated
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski