Peripheral Nerve
Structure
- Individual nerve fibres are supported by a collagen rich endoneurium
- Fibres are grouped in bundles or fascicles which are contained within the perineurium
- Perineurium is a specialised tissue composed of flattened perineurial cells, alternating with layers of collagen
- Maintains the homeostasis of the endoneurial fluid surrounding myelinated and unmyelinated fibres and provides a barrier to diffusion
- Fasicles are embedded in connective tissue, which in its outer layers condenses to form the epineurium or nerve sheath
- Each PN may contain one or multiple fascicles
- Each PN has an extensive blood supply composed of interconnecting epineurial, perineurial and endoneurial plexuses which link with extrinsic regional vessels