The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Schwann’s Cell

a cell of nerve tissue forming the membranes of the long processes of the nerve cells (axons) in the peripheral nerves and ganglia; first described by T. Schwann in 1838.

The nucleus of a Schwann’s cell is oval and contains one or two nucleoli. Masses of chromatin are found on the inner surface of the nuclear membrane. Mitochondria, lysosomes, the Golgi complex, microtubules, microfibrils, free ribosomes, and ribosomes attached to the membranes are concentrated around the nucleus in the cytoplasm. Schwann’s cells may have cilia. They act as supporting cells in the processes of nerve cells and help form (and in unusual cases destroy) myelin in the medullated fibers. Metabolites penetrate the process of a nerve cell through the substance of Schwann’s cells or at the point where the cells meet. It is possible that some substances are formed in Schwann’s cells and then proceed to the processes. The capacity of Schwann’s cells for wave like movements may be related to the transport of various substances along the processes of nerve cells.

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References in periodicals archive

Schwannomas are benign, encapsulated, submucosal, neural sheath tumors derived from Schwann's cells. (1-7) They are generally solitary and they can occur along any somatic or sympathetic nerve in the body except the olfactory and optic nerves, which lack Schwann's cell sheaths and which are part of the central nervous system.

Schwannoma of the epiglottis: first report of a case. (Original Article)

They are believed to originate in the ectodermal Schwann's cells of the nerve sheath.

Antoni A areas are solid, with the Schwann's cells lying in rows, resulting in palisading of the nuclei.

Schwannoma of the tonsil

They can arise in all peripheral nerve elements, including Schwann's cells, neurons, fibroblasts, and perineural cells.

Neurofibroma of the pinna

Neurilemmomas are peripheral nerve sheath tumors derived from Schwann's cells. They are significantly more likely to affect sensory nerves than motor nerves.

Pathologically, neurilemmomas are made up almost entirely of Schwann's cells. Three criteria are necessary to establish a histopathologic diagnosis: the presence of a capsule, the identification of Antoni A and B areas, and positivity of the tumor cells for S-100 protein.

Laryngeal neurilemmoma: a case report

(1) These tumors arise from the cells of the peripheral nerve, including Schwann's cells, perineural cells, and fibroblasts, and they can produce schwannomas and neurofibromas.

Schwannoma of the true vocal fold: a rare diagnosis

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor--also known as neurogenic sarcoma, malignant neurilemoma, malignant schwannoma, and neurofibrosarcoma--is an uncommon neoplasm that originates in Schwann's cells of the nerve sheath.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the paranasal sinuses

(4) Neuromas are uncommon benign parotid tumors; they include schwannomas (neurilemmomas) and neurofibromas, although both originate in Schwann's cells. A schwannoma is a solitary encapsulated tumor; a neurofibroma is not capsulated and contains nerve fibers within the lesion.

An Antoni A pattern is characterized by elongated and spindle-shaped Schwann's cells arranged in short bundles or interlacing fascicles with nuclear palisading, whorling of the cells, and Verocay' s bodies.

Coexisting facial nerve schwannoma and monomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland

Granular cell tumors are relatively uncommon soft tissue lesions that originate in Schwann's cells. Although these tumors can occur at any site, their presence in the parotid gland is very unusual.

Granular cell tumor of the parotid: A case report and literature review

Schwann's cells have often been identified as the cells of origin.

A neurilemmoma of the parotid gland: Report of a case

Schwann's Cell

Schwann’s Cell