noun
- The thin sheath of connective tissue that surrounds the axon of a nerve fiber; also called the sheath of Schwann.
Usage: anatomy; also spelled neurolemma
Examples
- The neurilemma protects the nerve fiber and aids in its regeneration after injury.
- Damage to the neurilemma can impair nerve function and slow signal transmission.
- Under a microscope, the neurilemma appears as a thin, translucent layer surrounding the axon.
- The neurilemma is composed of cells called Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system.
- Researchers studied how the neurilemma contributes to the speed of nerve impulses.