myelin

Term: myelin

Origin:

Anc Greek

Ø    μυελός/myelos(=marrow)

Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902)

Coined: in 1858 by the German pathologist Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902) after the observation by his fellow Robert Remak that nerve fibers have a white sheath reminiscent of marrow before its function or its composition was known.

Definition:

Myelin is the layered tissue  (70% lipids and 30% proteins) that sheathes the axons allowing efficient conduction of action potentials down the axon.