what is myelination

Myelination is the process of forming a myelin sheath around a nerve, which allows for improved conduction of nerve impulses. Myelin is a specialized membrane made up of fatty lipids and proteins that surrounds axons, acting as an electrical insulator and allowing for rapid and efficient transmission of nervous impulses. This process begins before birth and is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Myelination is carried out by different types of glial cells, such as Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. The myelin sheath greatly increases the speed of signals transmitted between neurons, facilitating efficient nervous system function