myelin

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmʌɪəlɪn/

noun

[mass noun] Anatomy & Physiology
  • a mixture of proteins and phospholipids forming a whitish insulating sheath around many nerve fibres, which increases the speed at which impulses are conducted.

Derivatives

myelinated

adjective

myelination

Pronunciation: /-ˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

Origin:

late 19th century: from Greek muelos 'marrow' + -in1