Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which cells produce myelin in the CNS?

In the central nervous system, the cells that produce myelin are oligodendrocytes. These glial cells extend their processes to wrap around nearby axons, forming the myelin sheath that insulates the axon and speeds up signal transmission. A single oligodendrocyte can insulate segments of multiple axons, which is a hallmark of CNS myelination. In contrast, Schwann cells are responsible for myelin in the peripheral nervous system, with each Schwann cell wrapping a single axon segment. Neuroglia is a broad term for glial cells, not all of which form myelin, and microglia are immune cells in the CNS, not myelin producers. So oligodendrocytes are the CNS myelin producers.

In the central nervous system, the cells that produce myelin are oligodendrocytes. These glial cells extend their processes to wrap around nearby axons, forming the myelin sheath that insulates the axon and speeds up signal transmission. A single oligodendrocyte can insulate segments of multiple axons, which is a hallmark of CNS myelination. In contrast, Schwann cells are responsible for myelin in the peripheral nervous system, with each Schwann cell wrapping a single axon segment. Neuroglia is a broad term for glial cells, not all of which form myelin, and microglia are immune cells in the CNS, not myelin producers. So oligodendrocytes are the CNS myelin producers.