Definition
noun
A substance comprised mainly of fatty material (about 80%) and proteins (about 20%), and forms the myelin sheath that surrounds the axons of some nerve cells.
Supplement
Nerve cells in which the axon is covered with myelin sheath are found in the white matter of the central nervous system. The myelin is assumed to be the substance that renders this part of the central nervous system white in color.
Word origin: myelin, from Greek ”myelos “, marrow.
Variant: myeline
Synonym:
- medulla
Related terms:
