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Connective tissue

Authoring team

The connective tissue of the peripheral nervous system makes up to three quarters of the cross section of a peripheral nerve. It is composed of several discrete layers encapsulating neurones, glial cells and blood vessels:

  • endoneurium:
    • a loose, collagenous matrix containing fibroblasts and ground substance
    • surrounds individual axons within a fascicle
    • axon size within fascicular unit varies from 0.2 micrometres (unmyelinated) to 25 micrometres (myelinated)
  • perineurium:
    • surrounds a group of nerve fibres as a fascicle
    • acts as a bi-directional barrier to diffusion
    • composed of up to ten layers of mesothelial type cells that are interlinked by tight junctions
    • a strong, elastic layer
    • fascicular size can be up to 3 mm in larger nerves
  • epineurium:
    • the outer layer of a peripheral nerve that provides a supportive and protective barrier
    • divided into an:
      • external epineurium surrounding the whole nerve as an outer sheath
      • internal epineurium composed of looser connective tissue that contains a longitudinal plexus of blood vessels
    • usually the layer that is stitched during nerve repairs

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