node of Ranvier

[/noʊd əv rɑːnˈvieɪ/ or /noʊd əv ˈrænvieɪ/]
nounpl: nodes of Ranvier
nó de Ranvier
1. A gap or constriction in the myelin sheath surrounding an axon of a nerve fiber, occurring at regular intervals along the axon. These gaps allow for the rapid propagation of action potentials through saltatory conduction.
The nodes of Ranvier are essential for the rapid transmission of nerve impulses in myelinated neurons.
Os nós de Ranvier são essenciais para a transmissão rápida de impulsos nervosos em neurônios mielinizados.
2. A structural feature of peripheral and central nervous system axons characterized by exposed membrane between segments of myelin.
Action potentials jump from node of Ranvier to node of Ranvier in a process called saltatory conduction.
Os potenciais de ação saltam de um nó de Ranvier para outro em um processo chamado condução saltatória.
This is a specialized anatomical and neurobiological term named after French-Swiss histologist Louis-Antoine Ranvier who discovered these structures in 1878. The term is used uniformly across English and Portuguese scientific communities and is essential knowledge for neuroscience students, medical professionals, and researchers in both Brazil and Portugal. It appears in standardized medical terminology and scientific nomenclature without significant cultural variation.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
Ranvier's nodeconstriction of myelin sheathmyelin gap

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
nó de Ranvier
Standard medical and scientific terminology used in neuroscience textbooks and research
Portugal
nó de Ranvier
Same terminology used in Portuguese medical education and research
Medical Spanish (for reference)
nódulo de Ranvier
Alternative terminology sometimes encountered in related Romance language contexts

Related Words

myelin sheathaxonsaltatory conductionmyelinated nerve fiberaction potentialnerve impulseneuron
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