Illustration showing the role of an oligodendrocyte in the myelination of nerve fibres (axons) in the central nervous system (CNS - the brain & spinal cord). Oligodendrocytes belong to a group of cells called neuroglia ("nerve glue") which comprise all non-neural cells in the CNS. The dendritic processes from the cytoplasm of the oligodendrocyte give rise to the spiral-wrapped sandwich of cytoplasmic membrane that comprises the myelin sheath. A single oligodendrocyte may serve up to 50 nerve axons; 4 are visible here. Myelination effectively increases diameter of axon & hence velocity of impulse conduction | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Leroy, Francis / Biocosmos |
Taille de l’image : | 3703 px × 2480 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |