Perineural epithelium: a new concept of its role in the integrity of the peripheral nervous system.
A multilayered, squamous-celled epithelial cell membrane covering the individual nerve fasciculi of the entire peripheral nervous system ( both voluntary and autonomic) including the sensory and motor end organs has been demonstrated in various species of animals, including man. This membrane is the direct continuation of the pia-arachnoid mater from the central nervous system. Functional significance of this membrane, especially as a diffusion barrier and as a protector of the peripheral nervous system, is briefly discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002415:Cats; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D002829:Choroid / Q000166:cytology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000166:cytology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000166:cytology