| Neurilemma | |
|---|---|
 Diagram of longitudinal sections of medullated nerve fibers. | |
.svg) Cross section of an axon. 1. Axon | |
| Details | |
| System | Peripheral nervous system |
| Location | Schwann cell |
| Identifiers | |
| MeSH | D009441 |
| TH | H2.00.06.1.00002 |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
Neurilemma (also known asneurolemma,sheath of Schwann, orSchwann's sheath)[1] is the outermostnucleatedcytoplasmic layer ofSchwann cells (also called neurilemmocytes) that surrounds theaxon of theneuron. It forms the outermost layer of thenerve fiber in theperipheral nervous system.[2]
The neurilemma is underlain by themyelin sheath (also known as the medullary sheath). In thecentral nervous system, axons are myelinated byoligodendrocytes, thus lack neurilemma. The myelin sheaths of oligodendrocytes do not have neurilemma because excesscytoplasm is directed centrally toward the oligodendrocyte cell body.
Neurilemma serves a protective function for peripheral nerve fibers. Damaged nerve fibers may regenerate if thecell body is not damaged and the neurilemma remains intact. The neurilemma forms a regeneration tube through which the growing axon re-establishes its original connection.
Neurilemoma is a tumor of the neurilemma.[1]
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