Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons
Published on: May 25, 2015
Skeletonization does not influence internal thoracic artery innervation
Mario Gaudino1, Amelia Toesca, Franco Glieca
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Institute of Human Anatomy, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. mgaudino@tiscali.it
Background:
This study was designed to compare the effect of surgical harvesting on internal thoracic artery innervation and to assess the eventual presence of denervation supersensitivity in skeletonized grafts.
Methods:
Nineteen patients who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to receive a skeletonized (n = 9) or pedicled (n = 10) internal thoracic artery graft. Immunohistochemical nerve localization using anti-S-100 protein, anti-160-kd neurofilament polypeptide and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase antibodies was performed on distal specimens of arteries to study vascular innervation. Moreover, endovascular vasoactive challenges using serotonin and methylergometrine were performed at early angiographic control to evaluate the eventual presence of denervation supersensitivity.
Results:
Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical specimens revealed lack of difference in the number of positive cells between skeletonized and pedicled arteries for all the antibodies used. No difference in the reaction to serotonin and methylergometrine was found between skeletonized and pedicled arteries.
Conclusions:
Skeletonization does not influence internal thoracic artery innervation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Carbon Skeletons
Muscles of the Thorax
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It originates...
The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Thoracic Aorta
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Veins of Thorax
The azygos vein, positioned just right of the midline and anterior to the vertebral column, begins at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, terminating in the superior vena cava. This vein drains blood from the right side of the thoracic wall, thoracic viscera, and posterior abdominal wall.
The...

