Innervation of supraclavicular adipose tissue: A human cadaveric study

Area of Science:

• Human anatomy
• Adipose tissue biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans was discovered in 2007.
• Obesity is negatively correlated with BAT presence, suggesting BAT aids metabolism and weight loss.
• Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) stimulates BAT in rodents, but human innervation remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and trace the specific peripheral nerve(s) innervating human supraclavicular BAT.
• To investigate the neural pathways regulating human BAT function.

Main Methods:

• Dissection of the posterior triangle of the neck in cadaveric specimens.
• Identification of peripheral nerve branches terminating in supraclavicular adipose tissue.
• Histological analysis for sympathetic axon markers (tyrosine hydroxylase).

Main Results:

• A previously undescribed nerve branch from the cervical plexus was identified, terminating in supraclavicular adipose tissue in all specimens.
• This nerve was typically an independent branch from the third cervical spinal nerve or the supraclavicular nerve.
• Histology confirmed the presence of sympathetic axons within the adipose tissue.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to identify a specific nerve branch innervating human supraclavicular BAT-like tissue.
• The findings suggest a direct neural pathway for SNS regulation of human BAT.
• This opens new research avenues into the neural control of fat metabolism and obesity treatment.