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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'myelin sheath.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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