Myeliinisoida

Myeliinisoida is a Finnish verb that translates to "to myelinate" in English. Myelination is a fundamental biological process in the nervous system where glial cells, specifically oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, wrap around the axons of neurons. This wrapping forms a fatty insulating layer called myelin.

The primary function of myelin is to speed up the transmission of electrical signals, known as action potentials, along the axon. The myelin sheath acts like the insulation on an electrical wire, preventing the leakage of electrical current and allowing the signal to jump between gaps in the myelin called nodes of Ranvier. This saltatory conduction significantly increases the speed and efficiency of neural communication.

Myelination begins during fetal development and continues into adolescence and even early adulthood. The process is crucial for the proper development and function of motor skills, sensory perception, and cognitive abilities. Diseases that affect myelination, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), can lead to severe neurological deficits because nerve signals are disrupted or blocked. The term "myeliinisoida" therefore refers to the act of forming or acquiring this vital myelin sheath.