open access

Vol 80, No 3 (2021)
Original article
Submitted: 2020-06-07
Accepted: 2020-07-28
Published online: 2020-08-07
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Comparison of the histological structure of the tibial nerve and its terminal branches in the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers

Ł. Warchoł1, J. A. Walocha1, E. Mizia1, H. Liszka1, M. Bonczar2
·
Pubmed: 32789845
·
Folia Morphol 2021;80(3):542-548.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
  2. Intermed Medical Clinic, Zabierzow, Poland

open access

Vol 80, No 3 (2021)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2020-06-07
Accepted: 2020-07-28
Published online: 2020-08-07

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the histological structure (cross-sectional area [CSA] and number of nerve fascicles) of the distal part of the tibial nerve (TN) and its terminal branches (medial plantar nerve [MPN], lateral plantar nerve [LPN]) in the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers using computer assisted image analysis.
Materials and methods: The TNs with terminal branches (MPN and LPN) were dissected from the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers. Each nerve was harvested 5 mm proximally and respectively 5 mm distally from the TN bifurcation, marked, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 2 μm slices and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Then the specimens were photographed and analysed using Olympus cellSens software.
Results: The fresh cadavers’ group comprised 60 feet (mean age 68.1 ± 15.2 years). The mean CSA and the number of nerve fascicles were respectively 15.25 ± 4.6 mm2, 30.35 ± 8.45 for the TN, 8.76 ± 1.93 mm2, 20.75 ± 7.04 for the MPN and 6.54 ± 2.02 mm2, 13.40 ± 5.22 for the LPN. The fresh-frozen cadavers’ group comprised 21 feet (mean age 75.1 ± 9.0 years). The mean CSA and the number of nerve fascicles were respectively 13.71 ± 5.66 mm2, 28.57 ± 8.00 for the TN, 7.55 ± 3.25 mm2, 18.00 ± 6.72 for the MPN and 4.29 ± 1.93 mm2, 11.33 ± 1.93 for the LPN. Only LPNs showed statistical differences in the CSA and the number of nerve fascicles between examined groups (p = 0.000, p = 0.037, respectively). A positive correlation was found between donors age and tibial nerve CSA in the fresh cadavers group (r = 0.44, p = 0.000). A statistical difference was found between the MPN and LPN both in the CSA and the number of nerve fascicles (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions: The CSA and the number of nerve fascicles of the tibial and medial plantar nerves were similar in the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers whilst different in the LPN. The TN showed increasing CSA with the advanced age in the fresh cadavers. The MPN had larger CSA and more nerve fascicles than the LPN.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the histological structure (cross-sectional area [CSA] and number of nerve fascicles) of the distal part of the tibial nerve (TN) and its terminal branches (medial plantar nerve [MPN], lateral plantar nerve [LPN]) in the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers using computer assisted image analysis.
Materials and methods: The TNs with terminal branches (MPN and LPN) were dissected from the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers. Each nerve was harvested 5 mm proximally and respectively 5 mm distally from the TN bifurcation, marked, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 2 μm slices and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Then the specimens were photographed and analysed using Olympus cellSens software.
Results: The fresh cadavers’ group comprised 60 feet (mean age 68.1 ± 15.2 years). The mean CSA and the number of nerve fascicles were respectively 15.25 ± 4.6 mm2, 30.35 ± 8.45 for the TN, 8.76 ± 1.93 mm2, 20.75 ± 7.04 for the MPN and 6.54 ± 2.02 mm2, 13.40 ± 5.22 for the LPN. The fresh-frozen cadavers’ group comprised 21 feet (mean age 75.1 ± 9.0 years). The mean CSA and the number of nerve fascicles were respectively 13.71 ± 5.66 mm2, 28.57 ± 8.00 for the TN, 7.55 ± 3.25 mm2, 18.00 ± 6.72 for the MPN and 4.29 ± 1.93 mm2, 11.33 ± 1.93 for the LPN. Only LPNs showed statistical differences in the CSA and the number of nerve fascicles between examined groups (p = 0.000, p = 0.037, respectively). A positive correlation was found between donors age and tibial nerve CSA in the fresh cadavers group (r = 0.44, p = 0.000). A statistical difference was found between the MPN and LPN both in the CSA and the number of nerve fascicles (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions: The CSA and the number of nerve fascicles of the tibial and medial plantar nerves were similar in the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers whilst different in the LPN. The TN showed increasing CSA with the advanced age in the fresh cadavers. The MPN had larger CSA and more nerve fascicles than the LPN.

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Keywords

tibial nerve, cross-sectional area, medial and lateral plantar nerves, fresh cadavers, fresh-frozen cadavers

About this article
Title

Comparison of the histological structure of the tibial nerve and its terminal branches in the fresh and fresh-frozen cadavers

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 80, No 3 (2021)

Article type

Original article

Pages

542-548

Published online

2020-08-07

Page views

7081

Article views/downloads

966

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2020.0088

Pubmed

32789845

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2021;80(3):542-548.

Keywords

tibial nerve
cross-sectional area
medial and lateral plantar nerves
fresh cadavers
fresh-frozen cadavers

Authors

Ł. Warchoł
J. A. Walocha
E. Mizia
H. Liszka
M. Bonczar

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