Definition of myelin
: a soft white material that forms a thick layer around the axons of some neurons and is composed chiefly of lipids (such as cerebroside and cholesterol), water, and smaller amounts of protein
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Origin and Etymology of myelin
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use: 1866
Medical Dictionary
myelin
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noun
my·e·lin
\ˈmī-ə-lən\
Medical Definition of myelin
: a soft white material of lipid and protein that is secreted by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells and forms a thick sheath about axons—see myelin sheath
Learn More about myelin
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about myelin
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