Contemporary Techniques in Assessing Peripheral Nervous System Function

ABSTRACT.

This article briefly reviews essential aspects of the anatomical and physiological substrates of peripheral nerves and describes diagnostic techniques to evaluate the functional status of various types of nerve fibers. Emphasis is placed on methods for quantifying small caliber sensory fiber function. Nonconventional application of evoked potential technology as well as microneurography research is briefly described.

KEY WORDS.:

• Peripheral nerve
• A alpha beta fibers
• A delta fibers
• C nerve fibers
• polymodal nociceptors