PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “THORACIC NERVES”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

The brachial plexus in the chacma baboon (Papio ursinus).

The brachial plexus in each of ten embalmed, mature chacma baboons was dissected to document the structure and branching pattern of this nerve plexus in this increasingly used research animal. In general, the brachial plexus in the chacma baboon was similar to the plexuses in the vervet and other Old World monkeys. However, several aspects were comparable to those observed in domestic animals. Thus the bipedal and quadrupedal abilities of the chacma baboon were reflected in the structure of its brachial plexus.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗

Synaptic effects of intercostal tendon organs on membrane potentials of medullary respiratory neurons.

1. Stimulation of intercostal muscle tendon organs or their afferent fibers reduces medullary inspiratory neuron activity, decreases motor output to inspiratory muscles, and increases the activity of expiratory laryngeal motoneurons. The present study examines the synaptic mechanisms underlying these changes to obtain information about medullary neurons that participate in the afferent limb of this reflex pathway. 2. Membrane potentials of medullary respiratory neurons were recorded in decerebrate paralyzed cats. Postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) elicited in these neurons by intercostal nerve stimulation (INS) were compared before and after intracellular iontophoresis of chloride ions. After chloride injection, the normal hyperpolarization caused by inhibitory (I) PSPs is "reversed" to depolarization. 3. In inspiratory neurons, reversal of IPSPs by chloride injection also reversed hyperpolarization produced by INS when applied during any portion of the respiratory cycle. This observation suggests that increased chloride conductance of the postsynaptic membrane mediated the inhibition. Further, it is very likely that the last-order interneuron in the afferent pathway must be excited by INS and alter inspiratory neuron activity via an inhibitory synapse. The linear relationship between the amplitude of the INS induced PSP and membrane potential of inspiratory neurons provided evidence that neurons in the afferent pathway are not respiratory modulated. 4. The membranes of expiratory vagal motoneurons and post-inspiratory neurons were depolarized by INS during all portions of the respiratory cycle before IPSP reversal. Reversal of IPSPs affected neither this depolarization of expiratory vagal motoneurons during stage I and II expiration nor that of post-inspiratory neurons during stage I expiration. Thus this depolarization probably resulted from synaptic excitation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Afferent Pathways↗

Single-dose interpleural versus intercostal blockade: nerve block characteristics and plasma concentration profiles after administration of 0.5% bupivacaine with epinephrine.

Analgesic effects and plasma concentration profiles after interpleural (IP) or intercostal (IC) administration of 21 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with epinephrine (5 micrograms/mL) were studied in 24 patients (IP group: n = 12; IC group: n = 12) who had undergone cholecystectomy or renal surgery. The number of blocked dermatomes, as assessed by pinprick, was more variable between patients in the IP group (2-9 dermatomes) than in the IC group (6-8 dermatomes). The mean time intervals from the injection to two-dermatome regression and to first need for additional pain medication were 4 h (IP) and 5.5 h (IC) (P less than 0.02) and 5.3 h (IP) and 9.8 h (IC) (P = 0.002), respectively. The degree of postoperative pain was evaluated by means of a visual analogue scale. This gradually increased during the first 4 h in the IP group (P less than 0.001), but not in the IC group. Peak bupivacaine concentrations in arterial plasma were approximately 10% higher than those in venous plasma and were attained more rapidly. Peak arterial plasma concentrations after IP injection (2.07 +/- 0.53 micrograms/mL) were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than those after IC administration (1.36 +/- 0.48 micrograms/mL). Peak venous plasma concentrations showed a similar difference (IP: 1.86 +/- 0.45 micrograms/mL; IC: 1.21 +/- 0.48 micrograms/mL; P less than 0.005). Peak concentrations were attained later after IP injection both in arterial (IP: 16.3 +/- 4.6 min; IC: 8.8 +/- 5.4 min; P less than 0.002) and venous plasma (IP: 20.0 +/- 7.1 min; IC 13.3 +/- 6.9 min; P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Delayed cauda equina reconstruction in meningomyelocele: preliminary report.

Infants afflicted with meningomyelocele are paralyzed as a result of the physiological disconnection of the neural plate from the spinal cord. Intact neural elements within the placode often maintain segmental reflex innervation of the paralyzed lower extremity muscles. It was hypothesized that bridging this central-peripheral gap with vaible intercostal nerves would restore limited voluntary movement to the paralyzed muscles. This procedure has been performed on four infants and seems promising.

Cauda Equina↗

Structural changes in intercostal motoneurones following axotomy.

Motoneurone disease (MND or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a paralysing disease of unknown cause involving progressive, widespread muscle atrophy due to degeneration of spinal and other motoneurones and an accompanying loss of Betz cells in the motor cortex. A current hypothesis attributes the disease to the loss of a muscle-derived neurotrophic factor acting in concert with the normal age-related deterioration and loss of motoneurones. The roots of this hypothesis are traced through research based mainly on the developing neuromuscular system, and in particular on the age-related processes of natural motoneurone death during embryogenesis: the neonatal reduction of polyneuronal innervation and the age-dependent variations in motor nerve terminal sprouting in response to partial denervation. A consideration of the disease process itself in association with the review of earlier work provide the background for the present work which reexamines ultrastructurally the chromatolytic and later responses to axotomy and the muscle-dependent factors responsible for the reformation of the Nissl bodies.

Animals↗

The treatment of intercostal-brachial neuromas by posterior intercostal neurectomies. A case report.

The development of sensory neuromas in a postoperative field is a recognized and undesirable complication. Neuroma formation can impair patient cooperation and postoperative function. Treatment efforts are frequently unrewarding and may contribute to the patient's frustration. Intercostal-brachial neuromas which develop following first rib resections are representative of this problem. Posterior intercostal neurectomy may provide an alternative treatment modality.

Brachial Plexus↗

Nerve transfers. New options for reconstruction following nerve injury.

Surgical reconstruction of proximal level nerve repair or long nerve grafts have provided less than optimal results, presenting the opportunity for investigation of alternate reconstructive techniques. Good motor function following an injury to a motor nerve requires a maximal number of motor axons reaching the motor end plate within a critical time period. Nerve transfers eliminate the need for a nerve graft by allowing a direct end to end nerve repair without tension. This article reviews surgical options using nerve transfers for patients with upper and lower extremity nerve injuries.

Humans↗

[The painful floating-rib syndrome].

Attention is drawn to a painful syndrome in the front of the chest, due to abnormal mobility of a rib that has lost the normal cartilaginous connection with that above it. The syndrome is common enough, though little understood. Deep, continuous, dull and gravative pain is felt in the bottom of the chest and top of the abdomen, with distribution over the base of the hemithorax involved. It is relieved by rest and exacerbated by the effort and certain postures. One or more ribs on one or both sides may be affected, though the Xth is most commonly concerned. The condition may be the direct or indirect result of trauma, or congenital. Abnormal development of the XIth rib may result in its riding over that above it and so causing pain. The formation of parietal algogenous sites is thought to be primarily responsible for pain. These sites result from rubbing of the end of the free cartilage on neighbouring structures. Direct compression of the corresponding trunk may also be involved. Objective diagnosis is based on topical signs. The floating rib is readily recognised as the cause of pain and the syndrome itself is known as the painful slipped (better, floating) rib syndrome. Satisfactory results are obtained by deep analgesic infiltration at the end of the free cartilage and can be prolonged by rest. Reference is made to previously reported data concerning functional disorders of the extrahepatic bile ducts in subjects with this syndrome in the light of a more ample case series. The radiological picture is usually marked by gall bladder hypertonia and hyperkinesis, with occasional sphincter involvement. The physiopathogenetic interpretation of these associated parietobiliary manifestations is discussed in the light of experimental and therapeutic evidence. Their clinical interest is also stressed.

Analgesics↗