What cell type is primarily responsible for producing myelin in the nervous system?

The primary cell type responsible for producing myelin in the nervous system is oligodendrocytes. Myelin is a fatty substance that forms a sheath around the axons of neurons, enabling faster transmission of electrical signals between them. Oligodendrocytes are unique to the central nervous system (CNS) and can myelinate multiple axons simultaneously, which is essential for efficient neural communication.

In contrast, astrocytes play a role in supporting and maintaining the neuronal environment, microglia function as the immune cells of the CNS, responding to injury and disease, and neurons are the primary signaling cells that transmit information throughout the nervous system but do not produce myelin themselves. Therefore, oligodendrocytes uniquely fulfill the function of myelination, making them crucial for the proper functioning of the nervous system.