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A study of degeneration and regeneration in the divided rat sciatic nerve based on electron microscopy

IV. Changes in fascicular microtopography, perineurium and endoneurial fibroblasts

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Summary

Between seven days and six weeks after division the internal architecture of rat sciatic nerves is altered, their original mono- or di-fascicular configuration being replaced by a collection of small fascicles each surrounded by perineurium. This change, called by us ‘compartmentation’, has a minimum retrograde extent of 3.5 mm and is brought about by changes in Schwann cells and endoneurial fibroblasts, which undergo circumferential elongation to surround groups of axons and so come to resemble perineurial cells. Ultrastructural changes occur in these cells during compartmentation. There is a marked rise in the number of endoneurial fibroblasts in the distal segments of the proximal stump. The stimulus to the development of compartmentation is considered to be disturbance of the endoneurial environment following rupture of the perineurium. Changes in the structure and appearance of endoneurial cells suggest that metaplasia occurs between Schwann cells, endoneurial fibroblasts and perineurial cells, and it is concluded that these cell types in the endoneurium have a common origin from embryonic ectoderm. This suggests that the surgical treatment of peripheral nerve injuries should be primarily directed to the reconstitution of the endoneurial environment.

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Author notes

  1. A. R. Hudson

    Present address: St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Anatomy, University of Oxford, England

    J. H. Morris, A. R. Hudson & G. Weddell

Authors
  1. J. H. Morris
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  2. A. R. Hudson
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  3. G. Weddell
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Additional information

Medical Research Council Scholar.

McLoughlin Fellow.

The authors have great pleasure in acknowledging the expert technical assistance of Mrs. Frances Burton. G. W. would also like to thank the British Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and LEPRA (British leprosy relief association) for financial assistance without which this work could not have been completed.

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Morris, J.H., Hudson, A.R. & Weddell, G. A study of degeneration and regeneration in the divided rat sciatic nerve based on electron microscopy. Z.Zellforsch. 124, 165–203 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335678

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335678

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