The gliding apparatus of peripheral nerve and its clinical significance

Summary Every nerve must have the capacity to adapt to different positions by passive movement relative to the surrounding tissue. This capacity is provided by a gliding apparatus around the nerve trunk. There is another level of gliding provided by the interfascicular epineurium which allows the fascicles to glide against one another. The clinical significance of the gliding apparatus in the context of external and internal neurolysis and nerve repair is discussed. An explanation is offered for the occurrence of the so-called meander-like deformity of fascicles, seen in nerve entrapment syndromes.