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Rat intercostal nerves as experimental nerve grafts
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA.
Microsurgery
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Researchers measured intercostal nerves in rats for nerve graft research. The 8th-12th intercostal nerves offer suitable segments for experimental nerve grafts.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Surgical Research
Background:
- Nerve graft research requires detailed anatomical data.
- Intercostal nerves are potential sources for nerve grafts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide anatomical data on rat intercostal nerves for experimental nerve graft research.
- To identify suitable segments of intercostal nerves for harvesting as grafts.
Main Methods:
- Dissection and measurement of intercostal nerves in 12 adult rats.
- Analysis of nerve length, diameter, and axon count.
Main Results:
- Intercostal nerve lengths ranged from 10-89 mm; diameters ranged from <0.1-0.5 mm.
- The segment between the spinal bifurcation and lateral cutaneous branch (4-27 mm, mean 13.3 mm) was easiest to dissect.
- Axon counts ranged from 201-566 per nerve.
- The 8th-12th intercostal nerves provided convenient graft segments.
Conclusions:
- Rat intercostal nerves, particularly the 8th-12th, are viable sources for experimental nerve grafts.
- Anatomical data support the use of these nerves in nerve regeneration studies.