Schweigger-Seidel sheath

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Schweigger-Seidel sheath is a term used in histology to describe a specific structure found in the nervous system. It is named after the German scientists Karl Ernst Theodor Schweigger and Carl Seidel, who first described it in the 19th century.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term "Schweigger-Seidel sheath" is derived from the names of the two scientists who first described this structure. Karl Ernst Theodor Schweigger (1830-1905) was a German ophthalmologist and physiologist, while Carl Seidel (1821-1896) was a German anatomist and histologist.

Description[edit | edit source]

The Schweigger-Seidel sheath is a layer of connective tissue that surrounds the axon of a neuron. It is part of the myelin sheath, which is a fatty layer that insulates the axon and helps to speed up the transmission of nerve impulses.

Function[edit | edit source]

The main function of the Schweigger-Seidel sheath is to protect the axon and to help speed up the transmission of nerve impulses. By insulating the axon, the myelin sheath (including the Schweigger-Seidel sheath) prevents the electrical signals from leaking out of the axon. This allows the signals to travel faster and more efficiently along the length of the neuron.

Related Terms[edit | edit source]

  • Myelin sheath: The fatty layer that insulates the axon of a neuron, which includes the Schweigger-Seidel sheath.
  • Axon: The long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
  • Neuron: A specialized cell of the nervous system that transmits nerve impulses.
  • Nerve impulse: The signal transmitted along a nerve fiber. It is the fundamental means of communication within the nervous system.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Schweigger-Seidel sheath Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD