In diabetic neuropathy, which components are destroyed?

In the context of diabetic neuropathy, the primary components that are affected and damaged are the axons and myelin sheaths of the peripheral nerves. Diabetic neuropathy occurs as a result of prolonged high blood sugar levels, which can lead to nerve damage. This damage often manifests in the reduction or destruction of the axonal structures that conduct impulses and the myelin sheaths that insulate these axons, facilitating efficient nerve signal transmission.

The axon is the long projection from a nerve cell that transmits signals to other cells, while the myelin sheath is a protective covering that helps increase the speed of signal transmission along the nerve. When these components are compromised due to metabolic changes associated with diabetes, it results in symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling to pain and loss of function in the affected areas, most commonly in the feet and hands.

Other components listed, such as muscles, tendons, fatty tissue, and skin, are not primarily destroyed in diabetic neuropathy itself but may be affected by the complications associated with diabetic conditions, such as poor circulation or altered sensation. However, they do not represent the direct damage caused by diabetic neuropathy compared to the effects on the axon and myelin. Hence, the correct answer is rooted