Development of Collateral Circulation in Partially Devascularized Feline Sciatic Nerve
A survey of the existing literature in the field of peripheral nerve vascularity has established that nerve function is influenced by vascular supply; however, opinion varies considerably concerning the extent of such dependence. Apparently, influence of vascular supply is unquestioned; its importance is suspected, whereas its necessity is highly polemical. | Just how important is vascular supply to a nerve? Its necessity in other body organs is unquestioned; yet its value for normal nerve function is still controversial. Since the discovery of axioplasmic flow (Weiss, '43; Weiss and Davis, '43) two schools of thought have arisen; one holding that the only essential requirement for normal peripheral nerve function is the anatomical and physiological continuity of the axon with its cell body and that the primary source of neuronal nutrition is the pulsating flow of axoplasm proceeding distally along the fiber, blood supply being only incidental. The other school claims that vascular supply is essential if normal neuronal structure and function are to be maintained. In all probability both contribute to normal nerve function.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations