Abstract
The adverse effects of inadequate blood supply on the central nervous system are well documented. On the other hand, conflicting reports still appear in the literature concerning the effects of impaired vascular supply on peripheral nerve function. The role of the vessels of a nerve (vasa nervorum) in maintaining normal nerve function has been controversial. In the past it was thought that axioplasmic flow renders a nerve functionally self-sufficient, and that blood supply of the nerve distal to the cell bodies serves only the connective tissue and neurilemmal components rather than the axons themselves. At present evidence indicates that axonal function is also dependent on vascular supply, and experimentation has shown that blood-borne substances actually pass into the axon proper. It is now accepted that peripheral nerves do require a blood supply, although the relative roles of axioplasmic flow and blood supply are still moot.