MYELINISATION Meaning and
Definition
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Myelinisation, also spelled as myelination, is a physiological process that involves the formation and development of myelin sheaths around nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Myelin is a fatty substance composed mainly of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates that acts as an insulating layer around nerve fibers, allowing for efficient and rapid transmission of nerve impulses.
During myelinisation, oligodendrocytes in the CNS and Schwann cells in the PNS produce multiple layers of myelin membranes around the axons of neurons. This process begins during embryonic development and continues throughout infancy, childhood, and even into adulthood, enabling the proper functioning of the nervous system.
The myelin sheath plays a crucial role in enhancing the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse transmission by facilitating the saltatory conduction process. It acts as an electrical insulator, preventing the dissipation of electrical signals and allowing the signal to jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, significantly increasing the velocity of nerve impulse propagation.
Myelinisation is essential for normal neurological functioning, as it is closely associated with various cognitive, sensory, and motor processes. Furthermore, any disruption or damage to the myelin sheath, as seen in demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis, can lead to impaired nerve conduction and a wide range of neurological symptoms.
Common Misspellings for MYELINISATION
- nyelinisation
- kyelinisation
- jyelinisation
- mtelinisation
- mgelinisation
- mhelinisation
- muelinisation
- m7elinisation
- m6elinisation
- mywlinisation
- myslinisation
- mydlinisation
- myrlinisation
- my4linisation
- my3linisation
- myekinisation
- myepinisation
- myeoinisation
- myelunisation
Etymology of MYELINISATION
The word "myelinisation" consists of two components: "myelin" and "isation".
1. Myelin: The term "myelin" derives from the Greek word "muelos", meaning "marrow" or "spinal cord". It was introduced to scientific vocabulary by Rudolf Virchow in 1854 to describe the fatty substance that covers nerve fibers.
2. -isation: The suffix "-isation" (also spelled "-ization") is derived from the Latin suffix "-izāre", which was subsequently adopted by the French language. It was later incorporated into the English language to create verbs from nouns or adjectives, indicating the process of making or becoming.
Therefore, the word "myelinisation" is formed by combining "myelin" with the suffix "-isation", producing a term that refers to the process of forming or developing myelin in the nervous system.
Similar spelling words for MYELINISATION
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