Illustration showing the process of myelination of a nerve fibre (thin rod at top left). Myelin is an insulating fatty layer that surrounds the nerve fibre (axon), increasing the speed at which nerve impulses travel. It is formed when Schwann cells (orange) wrap around the fibre, depositing layers of myelin between each coil. The outermost layer consists of the Schwann cell's cytoplasm and is known as the neurolemma or sheath of Schwann.

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Photo credit: © FRANCIS LEROY, BIOCOSMOS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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