müeliniidunud

Myelinated nerves are nerve fibers that are covered by a fatty insulating layer called myelin. This myelin sheath is produced by glial cells in the nervous system and acts much like the insulation on an electrical wire, allowing nerve impulses to travel much faster and more efficiently. The myelin sheath is not continuous; it is interrupted at regular intervals by gaps called nodes of Ranvier. These nodes are crucial for rapid nerve signal conduction through a process known as saltatory conduction, where the electrical impulse "jumps" from one node to the next.

Myelinated nerves are essential for a wide range of bodily functions, including voluntary movement, sensory perception, and rapid reflexes. Damage to the myelin sheath, a condition known as demyelination, can severely impair nerve function. Diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by the progressive destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. This damage disrupts or blocks nerve signal transmission, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, and coordination difficulties. The degree of functional impairment depends on the location and extent of demyelination. Research into the causes and treatments of demyelinating diseases is an active area of neuroscience, aiming to find ways to repair or protect the myelin sheath and restore normal nerve function.