Anatomy

Myelin Sheath

The lipid-rich sheath surrounding AXONS in both the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS and PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. The myelin sheath is an electrical insulator and allows faster and more energetically efficient conduction of impulses. The sheath is formed by the cell membranes of glial cells (SCHWANN CELLS in the peripheral and OLIGODENDROGLIA in the central nervous system). Deterioration of the sheath in DEMYELINATING DISEASES is a serious clinical problem.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The lipid-rich sheath surrounding AXONS in both the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS and PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. The myelin sheath is an electrical insulator and allows faster and more energetically efficient conduction of impulses. The sheath is formed by the cell membranes of glial cells (SCHWANN CELLS in the peripheral and OLIGODENDROGLIA in the central nervous system). Deterioration of the sheath in DEMYELINATING DISEASES is a serious clinical problem.

MeSH Record

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Myelin Sheaths
  • Sheath, Myelin
  • Sheaths, Myelin
  • Myelin

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

note entry term MYELIN; do not confuse with MYELIN PROTEINS; myelination: index under MYELIN SHEATH / physiol

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WL 102.5

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Myelin Sheath. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009186. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009186
  2. Myelin Sheath. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187388