Saltatory conduction is propagation along a myelinated axon in which action potentials are regenerated mainly at successive nodes of Ranvier. Beneath the myelin, local electric current spreads to the next node and brings its excitable cell membrane toward threshold. The signal does not teleport across an electrically inactive gap: passive spread between nodes and active regeneration at nodes work together.[ref]
Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others. Section 12.4, Propagation of the Action Potential
The myelin reduces leakage and the effective membrane capacitance that must be charged along an insulated segment. This allows rapid transmission without requiring an enormous axon diameter. Removing the insulation can slow propagation or prevent the next node reaching threshold; axon continuity alone therefore does not guarantee reliable signaling.[ref]
Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others. Sections 12.2, Myelin; 12.4, Propagation of the Action Potential
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