oligodendrocyte
Sign in to saveOligodendrocytes (), also known as oligodendroglia, are a type of neuroglia whose main function is to provide the myelin sheath to neuronal axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Myelination gives metabolic support to, and insulates the axons of most vertebrates. A single oligodendrocyte can extend its processes to cover up to 40 axons, that can include multiple adjacent axons. The myelin sheath is segmented along the axon's length at gaps known as the nodes of Ranvier. In the peripheral nervous system the myelination of axons is carried out by Schwann cells.
Key facts
- Cell.Name
- Oligodendrocyte
- Cell.Latin
- oligodendrocytus
- Cell.Caption
- Oligodendrocyte
- Cell.Image2
- Neuron with oligodendrocyte and myelin sheath.svg
- Cell.Caption2
- Oligodendrocytes form the myelin insulation around the axons of neurons in the central nervous system
- Cell.Location
- Central nervous system
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Classification
- Development
- Function
- Myelination
- Immune function
- Metabolic support
- Clinical significance
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Oligodendrocytes (), also known as oligodendroglia, are a type of neuroglia whose main function is to provide the myelin sheath to neuronal axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Myelination gives metabolic support to, and insulates the axons of most vertebrates. A single oligodendrocyte can extend its processes to cover up to 40 axons, that can include multiple adjacent axons. The myelin sheath is segmented along the axon's length at gaps known as the nodes of Ranvier. In the peripheral nervous system the myelination of axons is carried out by Schwann cells.
Oligodendrocytes are found exclusively in the CNS, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. They are the most widespread cell lineage, including oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, pre-myelinating cells, and mature myelinating oligodendrocytes in the CNS white matter. Non-myelinating oligodendrocytes are found in the grey matter surrounding and lying next to neuronal cell bodies. They are known as neuronal satellite cells, and their presence is not understood.