Human cell

Schwann Cells (Nerve Wrappers)

Your nerves are like long wires. Schwann cells wrap around them like tape, so messages can zoom from your toes to your brain.

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Spin the Schwann cells

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Lesson 1

Wrapped around your nerves

Schwann cells (say SHWON) live along the nerves in your arms, legs, and the rest of your body outside the brain and spinal cord.

Each Schwann cell rolls itself around a nerve fiber again and again, like a jelly roll. The wrapping is called myelin (MY-uh-lin). It is mostly fat.

  • Many Schwann cells line up along one nerve fiber, like beads on a string.
  • Between them are tiny gaps with no wrapping.
Try this

Scroll up to the 3D model and press Send a signal. Then press Cut it open to see the nerve fiber inside the wrapping.

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