Journal of anatomy
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Nerve ischaemia plays a major role in the development of pathological alterations in various neuropathies, and the effects of ischaemia are amplified by reperfusion in various tissues. While pathological alterations in acutely ischaemic nerve have been established, nerve pathology resulting from reperfusion injury has never been elucidated. To evaluate what cell type in peripheral nerve is affected by reoxygenation following a hypoxic episode, we developed an animal model of transient severe limb ischaemia. ⋯ Swollen endothelial cells in endoneurial vessels were also invariably observed. Nerve ischaemia per se, without reperfusion, did not induce these pathological changes. Because myelin appears to be particularly susceptible to activated free radicals, oxidative stress, activated neutrophils, and cytokine formation seem to be important underlying mechanisms in the development of perivascular demyelination and intramyelinic oedema in ischaemic/reperfused nerves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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The cutaneous branch of the suprascapular nerve was studied bilaterally in 34 adult cadavers. In 5 the suprascapular nerve derived its fibres from the ventral rami of the 4th, 5th and 6th cervical nerves. The cutaneous branch was observed in 14.7% of the 68 limbs examined. ⋯ After passing deep to the acromioclavicular ligament, the cutaneous branch bent forward near the tip of the acromion process and pierced the deltoid muscle close to its origin and came to lie deep to the deep fascia. In the subcutaneous tissue, it divided into 3-4 twigs and supplied the proximal third of the lateral aspect of the arm within the territory of the axillary nerve. Presumably in normal human arms the cutaneous component of the suprascapular nerve is contained within the axillary nerve.