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Motor axon loop: An electroneurographic response
Author(s) -
Roth G.,
EgloffBaer S.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880070407
Subject(s) - axon , stimulus (psychology) , latency (audio) , neuroscience , anatomy , nerve conduction velocity , stimulation , ulnar nerve , medicine , biology , psychology , computer science , telecommunications , psychotherapist , elbow
A new kind of response to the stimulation of the median and ulnar nerves was observed in 10 patients. It is a motor unit showing a late latency in response to a weak stimulus and then suddenly a normal latency when the intensity is increased to a critical level. These two responses can be evoked at any level of a distinct nerve segment, the difference between their latencies being constant. The late response cannot be elicited below this segment and the normal response cannot be elicited above this segment. Its F‐latency is delayed and does not vary when the late response changes in a normal one. The conduction velocity along the axon seems normal. We propose the hypothesis of a motor axon loop along the nerve, with the recurrent portion traveling in the “grandes ellipses” or the classical anastomosis. These kinked axons are probably congenital; their frequency is still unknown.