History of the histopathology of the peripheral nerves

Abstract

The history of peripheral neuropathology, in particular the study of the normal nerve, spans centuries and involves significant contributions from many scientists and physicians. The earliest knowledge of nerves dates back to ancient Greece, accelerating from the 18th century onwards. This historical overview highlights the evolution of our understanding of peripheral nerves, from ancient theories to modern scientific discoveries, illustrating the collaborative and progressive nature of scientific progress. This article discusses various neurological theories such as “neuronal circulation” and the concept of “nerve fluid”, and explains the main stages in the description of the various principal structures of the normal peripheral nerve. It also explores the main steps of the historical evolution of peripheral neuropathology, focusing on the pathological analysis of peripheral nerves and various pathological key concepts (nerve degeneration, demyelination, nerve vasculitis, amyloid deposits, etc.). The development of microscopy techniques has significantly advanced our understanding of peripheral nerve histology and pathology. Early studies involved examining nerves from autopsies and later from living patients, leading to the establishment of nerve biopsy as a diagnostic tool. The article discusses the debate surrounding nerve biopsy techniques, including the choice of nerves and sampling methods.