Oligodendrocyte

Oligodendrocytes (pronounced: oh-ligo-den-dro-sites) are a type of neuroglia or glial cell in the central nervous system. The term "oligodendrocyte" is derived from the Greek words 'oligos' meaning few, 'dendro' meaning tree, and 'kytos' meaning hollow, referring to the cell's tree-like extensions.

Function

Oligodendrocytes function to produce myelin, a fatty substance that insulates neurons and allows for efficient transmission of electrical impulses along the axon of the neuron. This process is known as myelination.

Development

Oligodendrocytes develop from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in a process influenced by several growth factors. OPCs are the most proliferative cell type in the adult brain and spinal cord.

Clinical significance

Damage to oligodendrocytes and the subsequent loss of myelin is a characteristic feature of several neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. Research into oligodendrocytes and their role in these disorders is ongoing.

Related terms

Astrocyte: Another type of glial cell in the central nervous system.
Schwann cell: The myelin-producing cell in the peripheral nervous system.
Neuroglia: The collective term for the non-neuronal cells in the nervous system, including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Oligodendrocyte
Wikipedia's article - Oligodendrocyte

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Oligodendrocyte