Editing Node of Ranvier (section)

{{Short description|Gaps between myelin sheaths on the axon of a neuron}}
{{redirect|Nodes of Ranvier|the band|Nodes of Ranvier (band)}}
{{Infobox microanatomy
| Name        = Node of Ranvier
| Latin       = incisura myelini
| Greek       =
| Image       = Gray631.png
| Caption     = Drawing of a peripheral nerve axon (labeled "axis cylinder"), showing a node of Ranvier along with other features
| Width       =
| Image2      = Przewężenie Ranviera.jpg
| Caption2    = Nodes of Ranvier
| Precursor   =
| System      = [[Nervous system]]
| Location = [[Myelin]]ated [[axon]] of a [[nerve]]
}}

'''Nodes of Ranvier''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɑː|n|v|i|eɪ}} {{respell|RAHN|vee|ay}}),<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/node_of_Ranvier |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016031006/https://www.lexico.com/definition/node_of_ranvier |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |title=node of Ranvier |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{MW|node of Ranvier}}</ref> also known as '''myelin-sheath gaps''', occur along a [[myelin]]ated [[axon]] where the [[axolemma]] is exposed to the [[extracellular space]]. Nodes of Ranvier are uninsulated axonal domains that are high in sodium and potassium [[ion channel]]s complexed with [[cell adhesion molecule]]s, allowing them to participate in the exchange of [[ion]]s required to regenerate the [[action potential]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Poliak |first1=Sebastian |title=The local differentiation of myelinated axons at nodes of Ranvier |journal=Nature Reviews Neuroscience|date=2003 |volume=4 |issue=12 |pages=968–980 |doi=10.1038/nrn1253 |pmid=14682359 }}</ref> Nerve conduction in myelinated axons is referred to as [[saltatory conduction]] ({{etymology|la|{{wikt-lang|la|saltus}}|leap, jump}}) due to the manner in which the action potential seems to "jump" from one node to the next along the axon. This results in faster conduction of the action potential. The nodes of Ranvier are present in both the [[Peripheral nervous system|peripheral]] and [[Central nervous system|central]] nervous systems.