Schwann cells (TA: Gliocytus periphericus) (named after physiologist
Theodor Schwann) or
neurolemmocytes are the principal
glia of the
peripheral nervous system (PNS). Glial cells function to support
neurons and in the PNS, also include
satellite cells,
olfactory ensheathing cells, enteric glia and glia that reside at sensory nerve endings, such as the
Pacinian corpuscle. There are two types of Schwann cell, myelinating and nonmyelinating. Myelinating Schwann cells wrap around axons of motor and sensory neurons to form the
myelin sheath. The Schwann cell promoter is present in the Downstream region of the Human Dystrophin Gene that gives shortened transcript that are again synthesized in a tissue specific manner.