myeline
Definition
Noun A white, fatty, insulating substance that forms a myelin sheath around the axon of a neuron (nerve fiber). It is essential for the rapid and efficient transmission of electrical impulses along the nerve cell.
Usage
"Myeline" is a technical term used primarily in the fields of biology, medicine, and neuroscience. It refers to the specific material that constitutes the protective sheath. The more common spelling is "myelin."
Examples
- The degeneration of myeline is a key feature in diseases like multiple sclerosis.
- The myeline sheath acts as an electrical insulator for the nerve fiber.
- Researchers are studying how to promote myeline regeneration after injury.
Advanced Usage
- Demyelination: The process of losing the myelin sheath, which disrupts nerve signal transmission.
- Myelination: The process by which myelin is formed around a nerve axon.
Variants and Related Words
- Myelin (noun): The standard and more frequently used spelling of the same substance.
- Myelin sheath (noun phrase): The entire insulating layer formed by the myelin.
- Myelinated (adjective): Describing a nerve fiber that is encased in a myelin sheath.
- Oligodendrocyte (noun): A type of glial cell in the central nervous system that produces myelin.
- Schwann cell (noun): A type of glial cell in the peripheral nervous system that produces myelin.
Synonyms
- Medullary substance (archaic/technical)
Notes on Meaning
The term "myeline" is synonymous with "myelin." It has no other distinct meanings. Its sole function is biological, relating to the structure and function of the nervous system.
Noun
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a white fatty substance that forms a medullary sheath around the axis cylinder of some nerve fibers