an insulating sheath, composed of myelin, around certain nerve fibres. Damage to the myelin sheath causes neurological disease, as in multiple sclerosis
Examples of 'myelin sheath' in a sentence
myelin sheath
She'd read in the newspaper that it was caused by deterioration in the myelin sheath round the nerves.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
At the same time, 'white matter' (the myelin sheath that protects brain-cell axons) continually thickens, increasing the permanence and speed of brain-cell transmission.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Most arise from damage or irritation either to the nerve pathways (axons) or to their covering layer (myelin sheaths).
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Proponents claim that the stings kickstart the patient's nervous system into repairing the damage thatmultiple sclerosis wreaks on the myelin sheaths that surround nerve fibres.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The disease causes the body's immune system to attack the myelin sheaths that protect nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It is an autoimmune disease, caused when the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheaths that insulatenerve fibres, causing transmission errors.