Connective tissue
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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