What cell type produces myelin in the central nervous system?

The cell type that produces myelin in the central nervous system is the oligodendrocyte.

Oligodendrocytes are glial cells found in the brain and spinal cord. They extend slender processes that wrap around sections of neuronal axons, forming myelin: a lipid-rich insulating layer that helps electrical signals travel rapidly and efficiently.

One oligodendrocyte can myelinate parts of many axons, sometimes up to about 40. The insulated sections are separated by tiny gaps called nodes of Ranvier. Electrical impulses effectively jump between these gaps in a process called saltatory conduction, greatly increasing signal speed.

The key comparison is with Schwann cells, which produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Astrocytes support neurons and regulate their environment, microglia act as immune cells, and ependymal cells line fluid-filled spaces. Damage to oligodendrocytes or their myelin is central to disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Oligodendrocytes were identified by the Spanish neuroscientist Pío del Río-Hortega.