Related Experiment Videos
[The blood-nerve barrier in peripheral nerves]
M A Reina1, A López, M C Villanueva
1Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación del Hospital de Móstoles, y Hospital Madrid Montepríncipe, Madrid. miguelangel.rei@terra.es
Revista Espanola De Anestesiologia Y Reanimacion
|April 26, 2003
Summary
The perineurium and endothelium form a protective blood-nerve barrier in peripheral nerves. Specialized junctions in these structures prevent foreign substances from reaching axons.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Anatomy
Context:
- Peripheral nerves possess a blood-nerve barrier crucial for axonal protection.
- Understanding this barrier's ultrastructure is key to comprehending its protective mechanisms.
- The perineurium and endoneural vessel endothelium are primary components of this barrier.
Purpose:
- To elucidate the ultrastructural characteristics of the perineurium and endoneural endothelium.
- To investigate how these structures contribute to the blood-nerve barrier's integrity.
- To enhance the understanding of axonal protection against circulating substances.
Summary:
- The perineurium, comprising 8-15 concentric cell layers, forms a diffusion barrier around nerve fascicles.
- Endoneural capillaries, 6-10 microns in diameter, consist of endothelial cells with tight junctions and lack fenestrations.
- These cellular layers and junctions collectively form a cylindrical barrier, limiting substance entry into the endoneurial space.
Impact:
- Reveals the detailed ultrastructure of the blood-nerve barrier components.
- Provides insights into the mechanisms protecting peripheral nerve axons.
- Suggests potential implications for peripheral nerve blocks and systemic diseases affecting nerve integrity.