oligodendrocyte

Physiology

(noun)

A type of neuroglia that provides support and insulation to axons in the central nervous system.

Related Terms

  • pretectal nucleus
  • visual cortex
  • optic nerve
  • retina
Biology

(noun)

a cell that provides support and insulation to axons in the central nervous system of some vertebrates

Related Terms

  • myosin
  • actin
  • astrocyte
  • intercalated disc

Examples of oligodendrocyte in the following topics:

  • Glia

    • Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons in the CNS .
    • One axon can be myelinated by several oligodendrocytes; one oligodendrocyte can provide myelin for multiple neurons.
    • Glial cells of the (a) central nervous system include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, ependymal cells, and microglial cells.
    • Oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath around axons.
    • (a) Astrocytes and (b) oligodendrocytes are glial cells of the central nervous system.
  • Neuroglia of the Central Nervous System

    • Neuroglia in the CNS include astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells and oligodendrocytes.
    • Oligodendrocytes are cells that have fewer processes compared to astrocytes.
    • Oligodendrocytes form the electrical insulation around the axons of CNS nerve cells.
  • Types of Nervous Tissue

    • Neuroglia in the CNS include astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells and oligodendrocytes.
    • Oligodendrocytes line up along the nerves and produce an insulating cover called myelin sheath.
    • Their function is similar to oligodendrocytes.
  • Neuroglia of the Peripheral Nervous System

    • Functionally, the schwann cells are similar to oligodendrocytes of the CNS.
  • Optic (II) Nerve

    • As a consequence, the fibers are covered with myelin produced by oligodendrocytes, rather than Schwann cells that are found in the peripheral nervous system.
  • Regeneration of Nerve Fibers

    • The hostile, non-permissible growth environment is, in part, created by the migration of myelin-associated inhibitors, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursors, and microglia.
  • Muscle Tissues and Nervous Tissues

    • Astrocytes regulate the chemical environment of the nerve cell, while oligodendrocytes insulate the axon so the electrical nerve impulse is transferred more efficiently.
    • Also shown are two types of glial cells: astrocytes to regulate the chemical environment of the nerve cell, and oligodendrocytes to insulate the axon so the electrical nerve impulse is transferred more efficiently.
  • Brain Tumors

    • Within the brain itself, the involved cells may be neurons or glial cells (which include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells).
  • Introducing the Neuron

    • In the central nervous system, the glial cells that form the myelin sheath are called oligodendrocytes; in the peripheral nervous system, they are called Schwann cells.
    • This neuron diagram also shows the oligodendrocyte, myelin sheath, and nodes of Ranvier.
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.