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Peripheral Nerves, Anatomy and Physiology of

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Definition

Peripheral nerves are formed by axonal extensions of neurons in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord (spinal nerves), brain stem (cranial nerves), or sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia (autonomic nerves) that connect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) with the rest of the body to maintain homeostasis, mediate sensation, movement, and coordination. The 43 pairs of sensory and motor nerves in the human body are composed of bundles of axons embedded in a collagenous matrix (endoneurium), ensheathed by connective tissue (perineurium), and wrapped by an external connective layer (epineurium). The cellular components of peripheral nerves include Schwann cells, fibroblasts, endothelial-like cells, and macrophages (Stewart, 2003).

Detailed Description

Types of Peripheral Nerves

Peripheral nerves are also classified in reference to the main function that they serve, as either motor sensory or autonomic nerves.

Motor Nerves

This nerves are composed by fibers...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associate Professor, Bioengineering Department The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., EC39, Richardson, 75080, TX, USA

    Dr. Mario Romero-Ortega phD

Authors
  1. Dr. Mario Romero-Ortega phD
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Correspondence to Mario Romero-Ortega phD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Dieter Jaeger

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA

    Ranu Jung

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Romero-Ortega, M. (2014). Peripheral Nerves, Anatomy and Physiology of. In: Jaeger, D., Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_214-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_214-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7320-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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