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When an action potential in an axon spreads to a neighboring region of its membrane by a series of small steps, the process is called continuous propagation. When it propagates by jumping from one site to another along the axon, the process is called saltatory propagation. Saltatory propagation occurs along axons that have myelin sheaths. In the peripheral nervous system, these myelin sheaths are formed by Schwann cells. The myelin acts as an electrical insulator, allowing ions to move across the cell membrane only at the gaps, or nodes, between adjacent Schwann cells. Therefore, action potentials rapidly travel from node to node.
Duration: 00:53
Published: 11/25/2015
Blausen Medical
Scientific and Medical Animations
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