Node of Ranvier | |
---|---|
![]() Drawing of a peripheral nerve axon (labeled "axis cylinder"), showing a node of Ranvier along with other features | |
![]() Nodes of Ranvier | |
Details | |
System | Nervous system |
Location | Myelinated axon of a nerve |
Identifiers | |
Latin | incisura myelini |
MeSH | D011901 |
TH | H2.00.06.2.03015 |
Anatomical terms of microanatomy |
In neuroscience and anatomy, nodes of Ranvier (/ˈrɑːnvieɪ/ RAHN-vee-ay),[1][2] also known as myelin-sheath gaps, occur along a myelinated axon where the axolemma is exposed to the extracellular space. Nodes of Ranvier are uninsulated and highly enriched in ion channels, allowing them to participate in the exchange of ions required to regenerate the action potential. Nerve conduction in myelinated axons is referred to as saltatory conduction (from Latin saltus 'leap, jump') due to the manner in which the action potential seems to "jump" from one node to the next along the axon. This results in faster conduction of the action potential.