Schweigger-Seidel sheath

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

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

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

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

• 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

• Histology
• Nervous system
• Neuron
• Axon
• Myelin sheath

Schweigger-Seidel sheath Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia