Oligodendrocytes

This image compares interfascicular oligodendrocytes as revealed by conventional H & E staining (left) with those immunostained for an oligodendrocyte-specific protein (right).  This fluorescent image shows oligodendrocyte cell bodies, their cytoplasm and cell processes, each of which contacts an axon and produces a single internode of myelin.  (Fluorescent image courtesy of Dr. Babette Fuss)  1000x, 1000x.

Each oligodendrocyte extends numerous, branched processes.  Each branch contacts and wraps around an axon, forming a single internodal segment of myelin.  Each oligodendrocyte myelinates multiple axons, up to 40 in some regions of the brain.  These processes are not visible by conventional H & E staining methods.

Each oligodendrocyte extends numerous, branched processes.  Each branch contacts and wraps around an axon, forming a single internodal segment of myelin.  Each oligodendrocyte myelinates multiple axons, up to 40 in some regions of the brain.  These processes are not visible by conventional H & E staining methods.