HISTOLOGIC VARIATIONS WITH AGE IN APPARENTLY NORMAL PERIPHERAL NERVE TRUNKS

Abstract

The detailed histologic structure of the peripheral nerves has for many years been a matter of investigation and disagreement. Despite all the work that has been done, the variations in the structure of apparently normal peripheral nerves and the alterations of architecture that occur with age have not been clearly established. It is the aim of this investigation to set up a standard for the histologic structure of the peripheral nerves for all decades, so that one may know by comparison what can be considered as abnormal or pathologic. Such histologic changes were studied as could be recognized by simple stains available in every clinical laboratory. The need for such a study has long been apparent from observations made in the neuropathology laboratory of this university in cases in which there was no history of neuritis but in which degenerative changes began in middle age, concomitant with vascular changes, and